In a press release about a recent raid on an unlicensed cannabis grow in Selma, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team highlighted a practice of always leaving behind the four legal plants allowed by Oregon State Law.
On August 4, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) with the assistance of Josephine County Code Enforcement conducted a search and seizure at an unlicensed cannabis grow the 5000 block of Reeves Creek, Selma.
The team found 145 growing cannabis plants and approximately 200 pounds of processed cannabis flower which was seized and destroyed. Multiple firearms were also found.
The property also had multiple electrical and solid waste code violations which could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.
51-year-old Patrick Timothy Cross was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
"Although the size of this grow operation was not large in comparison to others we have seen this year, it was well beyond the legal limit of 4 plants allowed per Oregon State Law," the agency said in a release. "JMET always leaves 4 legal marijuana plants when we dismantle each grow operation."
Josephine County has notably opposed legal cannabis in Oregon, between law enforcement leadership's active campaigning against it prior to legalization in 2014, land use ordinance battles and a lawsuit filed against the state in 2018.