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.