He said as he was led away in handcuffs:

   "It's all for legitimate MEDICAL use.
   Marijuana smoke is a great varroa treatment.
   ...and people REALLY like my honey!"

        jim


http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny-brf--buzzprotectio1004oct04,0,7382822.story

Police find marijuana in barn surrounded by bee hives

October 4, 2002, 9:08 AM EDT

KIRKVILLE, N.Y. Authorities say a beekeeper used his hives to protect a
15-pound marijuana harvest in his barn.

Eric Rasmussen, of Kirkville, was charged with first-degree criminal possession
of marijuana, a felony, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor,
and unlawfully growing cannabis, state police said.

Troopers received a number of tips about suspicious activity near Rasmussen's
residence, 15 miles northeast of Syracuse. When police arrived, they found a
locked barn surrounded by several beehives of honeybees.

After entering the barn by a small rear window police found a large-scale
marijuana operation on the barn's second floor.

Authorities seized 56 harvested and drying marijuana plants, marijuana
seedlings started for next year's crop, growing lights and other drug paraphernalia.
They also found 19 rifles and shotguns, police said.

Rasmussen, who listed his occupation as a beekeeper, was sent to
Madison County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Copyright ? 2002, The Associated Press