Although it’s safe to say the legal marijuana industry has vastly changed the perception of weed, the illicit black market still remains largely intact. Sure, there are plenty of people ditching their friendly neighborhood drug dealers for the dispensary down the street. But considering the hefty price tag of legal weed—not to mention the fact that it’s still considered a Schedule I drug by the federal government, and a number of states have yet to legalize the herb in any capacity—there will always be an illegal market for the plant. This was proven once again, after a North Carolina weed grower was busted with freshly baked pot brownies on the stove.
Hot Out of the Oven
According to North Carolina’s local FOX8 affiliate, a Lee County man was arrested after cops uncovered 16 pounds of illegally-grown marijuana and some freshly baked pot brownies in the perpetrators’ home.
Per Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter, Michael Alan Cheeseman’s house was raided on Wednesday in an endeavor nicknamed “Operation HerbWorthy” by the local police force.
When police entered Cheeseman’s home on Wednesday, they first uncovered the brownies sitting on the stove, presumably cooling off.
They later made their way into Cheeseman’s master bedroom, where they found a single plant growing, in addition to several others in the neighboring bathroom’s closet.
However, it was in the backyard where Cheeseman’s case went from bad to worse.
In his back shed, cops found 13 additional cannabis plants. According to the official report, the setup was considered a “sophisticated growing facility” by officials, complete with LED lights, an odor-concealing air ventilation system and air conditioning. All in all, over 16 pounds of cannabis, including butter and oils, were uncovered at the Lee County location.
Per the FOX report, Cheeseman faces a single count of trafficking marijuana by possession, an additional charge of trafficking marijuana by manufacturing, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and maintaining a dwelling place for an illegal controlled substance. Additionally, Cheeseman garnered a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia—the least of his laundry list of charges.
He is currently being held in the Lee County Sherriff’s office under $200,000 controlled bail.
Cheeseman clearly has a knack for the edible business. Perhaps if he took the legal, yet lengthy process to conduct his business in a weed-legal state, he would find his situation much less precarious.
3 years and 8 months later the DA offered 12 months probation for possession and maintaining a dwelling. Dismissing all the trafficking and distribution charges.
2022-03-25
Michael A Cheeseman