MADISON HEIGHTS MAN CHARGED FOR GROWING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

MADISON HEIGHTS -- An arrest warrant has been issued for a Madison
Heights man who claims he has a legal right to possess 21 medical
marijuana plants in his home.

Robert L. Redden is named in a warrant charging him with manufacturing
20 to 200 marijuana plants. Redden is also charged with being a repeat
offender for having a prior marijuana conviction in March 2006.

Madison Heights police used a battering ram to break down Redden's
front door March 30 to investigate a tip about someone growing
marijuana in the home.

Redden, 59, told police he suffers from bone disease and two
deteriorating hips, and was told by doctors that medical marijuana
would ease his pain. He showed police officers documents he obtained
from the nonprofit Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, which opened its
first clinic in Michigan in December in Southfield. A doctor there
qualified Redden and gave him a document to use medical marijuana, and
from there he started plants from seeds in early March.

Police did not arrest Redden but seized the plants, some cash and some
paperwork. At the time, Police Chief Kevin Sagan acknowledged he
didn't know whether Redden broke the law, since rules for marijuana
possession in Michigan under the state's new medical marijuana law had
not been laid out yet by health officials.

Some of the plants belonged to Redden's girlfriend, who is also being
charged, according to court records.

Madison Heights deputy police chief Anthony Roberts was unavailable
for comment this morning.