CT: Hemp leaves painted on house

[Pat McCotter]

Cannabis Painted on High Street House Must Go
5 May, 2006

LITCHFIELD, Conn. - A man who spray-painted large cannabis leaves on his house has agreed to remove the bright green paintings as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Christopher Seekins, of Winsted, was arrested in October when police discovered about 100 marijuana plants in his house. He said they were hemp and part of a research project.

After his arrest, Seekins painted images of the green leaf on his Victorian-style house, each accompanied by the word "hemp." Town officials say they received several complaints because Seekins' home ? on High Street ? is visible from Winsted's main thoroughfare.

Seekins has said the large leaves were painted in support of legalization of marijuana. He also believes in the usefulness of hemp, a biological relative of marijuana that is used in products from soap and cosmetics to rope and luggage.

Seekins, 26, pleaded guilty Thursday in Litchfield Superior Court to a charge of growing marijuana and Supervisory State's Attorney Andrew M. Wittstein agreed to three years probation. He was also barred from painting the leaves on his house again.

The state agreed to drop other charges, such as possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Seekins will have to perform 300 hours of community service and refrain from possessing or using illegal drugs.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30.

[BaRbArIaN]

Whatta dumbass.  Might as well send the feds an invitation to search you.

[Tom Sawyer]

Hey I know a guy that walked into the legislature in Virginia with a pot plant.

[9thmoon]

So.... how can they dictate whether or not he can paint hemp leaves on his house?  Unless he's a member of a homeowner's association or lives in a historical district or some other foolish thing. 

[Tom Sawyer]

So.... how can they dictate whether or not he can paint hemp leaves on his house?  Unless he's a member of a homeowner's association or lives in a historical district or some other foolish thing. 

A think as a condition of release.

[KBCraig]

I recently attended a reunion of my college fraternity alumni. We told lots of stories from back in the day (1981-'85 for me). Here's my tale:

I lived in a dorm, where the dorm mother had already served for at least a century, possibly two. She was definitely a fixture.

My freshman year, a guy on the 2nd floor left his pot plant sitting in the windowsill when we went on Christmas break. After break, he had a note on his door to go see Mom Shinn.

Mom told him, "I saw your plant in the window, and you need to get rid of it before the police find it."

Then she leaned closer and whispered, "But it looked a little dry, so I watered it for you."

I miss Mom Shinn. 

Kevin

[Pat K]