Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 Source: The Herald-Sun (NC) Copyright: 2001 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR GROWING MARIJUANA IN HIS GARDEN ROANOKE RAPIDS -- A man arrested after dialing 911 to report the theft of his marijuana plants faces a September hearing. Emmit Scott, 61, of Roanoke Rapids was charged with one count of manufacturing a controlled substance and one count of maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, both felonies. He was arrested July 27 after calling police to report that a man had taken 27 marijuana plants from his backyard garden. Scott, who is on dialysis, said he has grown marijuana and several other herbs to use for personal pain relief since 1991. He said he has never sold marijuana and that he didn't know it was illegal to grow it for personal use. District Court Judge H. Paul McCoy Jr. told Scott at a Wednesday hearing that the maximum punishment for each charge is 15 months in prison. Scott was assigned a court-appointed attorney, James Walker of Roanoke Rapids. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19. Scott said he plans to plead not guilty to both charges because he was growing the marijuana for his own use. He said he does not feel he should receive any punishment. Scott said he has not taken out a warrant on the man whom he believes stole the marijuana plants from his garden. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager