AGENTS SEIZE NON-MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLANTS

ALAMO - A 47-year-old man with a prescription for medical marijuana was
arrested after narcotics agents found 30 marijuana plants in his home, well
above the legal limit, police said Wednesday.

Ted Carscadden was arrested Monday on suspicion of marijuana cultivation
after Contra Costa Narcotic Enforcement Team agents found an elaborate
growing room inside his North Jackson Way home, a CNET news release said.

Carscadden had a valid prescription from Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco
to use marijuana for chronic back pain, the release said.

Police found 23 plants in the growing room and another seven outside the home.

Under California law, residents with prescriptions can possess six mature
plants or 12 immature plants. Agents left seven plants at the residence,
the release said.

Officers also seized a shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle.

Two people inside the home were detained and released without charges.
Carscadden was arrested and released at the scene because of his medical
problems.

Agents searched the man' s home after receiving an anonymous tip, the
release said. Residents of Central Contra Costa can call the CNET tip line
at 925-602-6591 to report suspected drug dealers.