CENTER TOWNSHIP | A medical marijuana card from Michigan did not prevent a Valparaiso man from going to jail Friday following a traffic stop on U.S. 30.
Richard Koonce, 34, of 2152 Saint Joseph Lane, faces misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, according to county police.
Police said they stopped Koonce's vehicle near County Road 250 West for an expired license plate. When the officer approached the car, he said he smelled burnt marijuana.
Koonce reportedly admitted to having marijuana and handed the officer an orange pill bottle containing the drug, police said. He also provided the officer with a Michigan medical marijuana card and said he did not believe he was breaking the law.
Police said a search of the vehicle uncovered two smoking pipes and a marijuana grinder.
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