Former legal pot grower arraigned on drug charges

POLSON — A 27-year-old Polson man pleaded not guilty in Lake County District Court last Thursday to charges of growing marijuana plants with the intent to distribute after officials confiscated over 50 plants from his residence.

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 now faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines of $100,000 for growing a plant that at one point he could legally grow.

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.

Dickson faces a felony count of criminal production or manufacturing of dangerous drugs, and a second felony count of criminal possession with intent to distribute.

He will appear again in court for an omnibus hearing on Thursday, May 24 at 9 a.m. and a jury trial is set to commence on Monday, June 25 at 9 a.m.