MENOPAUSE can be a stressful business, as Robyn June Brunger found out in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Brunger was charged with possessing dangerous drugs after she was caught with 2.5 grams of cannabis in her handbag when the car she was a passenger in was stopped by police, in Jubilee Pocket, on May 12.

"At 8.25am police intercepted the car and the defendant appeared to be hiding something, so they were detained for a search," police prosecutor Elizabeth Smith said.

"When they found the cannabis, the defendant said it didn't belong to her."

Defending herself, Brunger, 52, told the court she used cannabis to relieve the symptoms of menopause.

"I am going through menopause and I can't take hormone replacement tablets so the doctors put me on these different tablets," she said.

Brunger said she was advised of the medicinal properties of cannabis by a friend, who said "have a smoke - it helps you before you go to sleep", adding she used to smoke "recreationally".

"They have tried me on all different medications and my friend said a couple of cones helps with the hot sweats at night," she said.

Magistrate Simon Young said he could accept why Brunger wanted relief from the symptoms of menopause.

"What I do have no tolerance for, however, is using dangerous drugs to do so," he said.

"Given your history, I am going to impose a one-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for six months."