Former medical marijuana grower signs plea agreement

POLSON — A 27-year-old Polson man reached a plea agreement in Lake County District Court last Thursday, pleading guilty to charges of growing marijuana plants with the intent to distribute after officials confiscated over 50 plants from his residence in February.

Jerry Dickson, according to court documents, told officers when they raided his residence that he used to be a legal grower for the state’s medical marijuana industry. He faced a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines of $100,000 for growing a plant that, at one point, he could legally grow.

The plea agreement will give Dickson a six-year suspended sentence with 30 days in Lake County Jail with credit for time served on the offense. Dickson can also complete an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program to satisfy his jailtime, if he enters it within 90 days of his sentencing. He’ll also have to pay a fine of $1,000.

According to court documents, on Feb. 7 officers confiscated over 50 plants, high power lights on timers, fertilizers, ventilation equipment and several large bags of dried marijuana buds from Dickson’s residence. Officers also found a digital scale, several boxes of baggies, a pistol and a notebook that appeared to be a ledger.

When Dickson was arrested, the court affidavit said he had several baggies of marijuana on him and several more in his vehicle. He told police that he used to be legal and he used to have enough patients for the plants he had.

Dickson then said, according to court documents, that he was no longer registered as a caregiver and he knew he should have stopped growing.

Sentencing is set for Thursday, July 19 at 9 a.m.