Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Medical marijuana card-holder ran illegal growing operation, Metro says

Las Vegas resident Joshua Joslyn told police he smoked medical marijuana daily because of headaches brought on by a previous work-related incident.

But with his arrest last week for operating an illegal grow house in his south Las Vegas home, Joslyn’s latest headaches are of the legal variety.

A Metro Police arrest report provides these details:

The case against Joslyn, 39, began June 18, when a detective with Metro’s narcotics squad was doing surveillance at Advanced Garden Hydroponics, 7850 S. Dean Martin Drive. The detective wrote he “knows from training and experience that … illegal marijuana growers” purchased specialized equipment from hydroponics stores.

A Chevrolet truck parked in front of the store and the driver entered the business.

The detective later checked motor vehicle records, which led authorities to Joslyn. Further records checks showed Joslyn possessed a valid Nevada medical marijuana card.

Two days later, on June 20, the detective conducted a power comparison between Joslyn’s house in the 5700 block of Sobb Avenue with houses of similar living space in the area. The house’s energy use was well above that of the comparison houses.

On Thursday, the detective approached Joslyn in his driveway. The detective told Joslyn he suspected there was a marijuana grow operation in the house.

Joslyn told the detective he had a valid medical marijuana card. Advised he was allowed 12 marijuana plants and 2½ ounces of marijuana with the card, Joslyn told the detective he had “a little more than 12 plants.”

Joslyn agreed to let detectives assess the marijuana grow. Subsequently, the officers obtained a search warrant for the property. Inside, they found:

• 157 marijuana plant in different stages of growth

• 373.6 grams of finished marijuana

• 407.2 grams of marijuana “shake” or bits

• 41.1 grams of what was believed to be marijuana edibles

• .9 grams of marijuana hash.

Joslyn was arrested on counts of possession with intent to sell marijuana; possession of marijuana; unlawful processing/production of marijuana. Joslyn, who has a prior arrest record in Arizona and Florida, also faces a count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office said it had not yet filed formal charges in the case. Joslyn posted $35,000 bond and was released Friday.

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