Mountlake Terrace Police thought they may have been on to something when an MLT resident made a complaint regarding the smell of growing marijuana from their neighbor’s house near 54th Ave W and 236th St SW on Saturday, April 30.

Officers arrive and even when just on the sidewalk, the officers could smell marijuana coming from the home. The resident wasn’t home at the time so detectives were notified to write a search warrant while patrol stood at the residence.

Shortly after, before the search warrant could be processed, the resident arrived home and produced a medical marijuana card. The man allowed police to search his home where they found 15 marijuana plants growing inside the home.

While marijuana possession is illegal in Washington, the medical marijuana law provides an affirmative defense for qualified patients and designated caregivers. People who qualify have a valid reason to possess a 60-day supply of marijuana.

The on duty Prosecutor was contacted and advised that 15 plants was not more than a 60 day supply, and declined to accept the case.

Photo courtesy Troy Holden.