An Ocean County jury is in the midst of deliberating whether a southern New Jersey man who admitted to growing marijuana primarily for his personal use is a felon or a gardening enthusiast.
NJ.com reports Jon Peditto has maintained throughout his trial in Toms River that he grew the 17 marijuana plants found by police in Tuckerton in 2012.
Peditto was charged with maintaining a drug production facility, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Peditto, who represented himself at trial, says prosecutors are making him out to be a pot tycoon but really he's just a gardener trying to cultivate a better strain.
The 54-year-old photographer faces up to 20 years in prison if he's convicted of the most serious offense.
Information from: NJ Advance Media.
