A burglary in progress ended with authorities finding an alleged marijuana growing operation in a Michigan City-area home.
According to investigators, the resident has a card from Michigan giving him authority to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
However, LaPorte County Metro Operations Coordinator Kevin Ulam said Indiana does not honor medical marijuana licenses from other states.
Ulam noted the card also does not give the man the authority to grow marijuana -- only possess the drug.
"Michigan cards have no jurisdiction in Indiana," Ulam said.
The resident reported his door was just being kicked in at his home Friday about 2 a.m. in the 3900 block of County Road West 900 North.
He told investigators he is blind and didn't know if anyone was inside but when officers arrived the possible intruder had already left.
Officers stumbled upon two insulated shanties inside a bedroom that contained lights and other growing aids along with several plants and loose marijuana.
According to authorities, the man told officers whoever came in must have taken one pound of harvested marijuana missing from a freezer.
More marijuana was located in various other locations including a half pound inside a backpack, investigators said.
The man told officers he uses marijuana to treat his blindness.
Officers were skeptical about his claims, saying it didn't appear possible that someone who is blind could set up and operate such an elaborate growing operation.
Ulam said the man had a Michigan address on his card but was not sure when he moved to across the state line.
Authorities are seeking to charge him with Class D felony dealing marijuana in a case still being reviewed by prosecutors.
Ulam said charges of dealing are being pursued because under state law anyone growing the plants cannot be charged with just possession.
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