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Couple claims marijuana for Christmas gifts
By David Hedges, Publisher
thetimesrecord.net
A couple arrested for growing marijuana at their farm said they were raising it to give as Christmas presents.
Gregory E. Taylor, 49, and his wife, Kimberly P. Taylor, 51, of Clio appeared in Roane Magistrate Court to answer charges of cultivating marijuana.
Police said when they visited the couple's farm at 285 Lewis Station Rd. in early July they discovered 69 pot plants ranging in size from 7-9 feet tall.
"They were some of the biggest plants I've seen," Roane Sheriff's Deputy Mike King, who filed the charges, said.
Police were conducting a search by helicopter July 6 when they ended up at the couple's property. King said some plants growing beside the home were visible when they first arrived at the couple's residence.
Kimberly Taylor answered the door and told police her husband was on his ATV.
When police found him, the ATV was also carrying a watering jug and some fertilizer, according to the complaint. King said Gregory Taylor led them to other patches were marijuana was growing. Other officers participating in the effort were Sgt. Kevin Unger and Deputy Bo Williams of the Sheriff's Dept., Conservation Officer Eric Bostic and State Troopers P.S. Fisher and S.E. McCullough of the Spencer Detachment.
Gregory Taylor allegedly told police he had grown marijuana every other year for about 10 years. He said he and his wife never smoked any, but gave it away to friends as Christmas presents.
The couple appeared in magistrate court Tuesday where Roane Magistrate Russell Goodwin arraigned them. They were released on $1,000 bond each while awaiting preliminary hearings on the felony charges.
thetimesrecord.net | 
