Although Patrick and Barbara Jiron are 83 and 70, respectively, their age has not slowed down their passion for Christmas or cannabis.
Traveling from California to Vermont to deliver the holiday herb, Patrick Jiron was pulled over by York County sheriff's deputies on Interstate 80 after reportedly failing to signal and driving over the center line.
During the traffic stop, deputies noticed a strong scent of the sticky-icky emanating from the Toyota Tacoma. When questioned about the odor, the driver confessed to possessing contraband and consented to a search of his truck, leading authorities to the Jirons' 60-lb stash.
An elderly couple's festive explanation for having 60 pounds of #marijuana: 'Christmas.' https://t.co/9ZuhwTPTrL pic.twitter.com/NEUiXEW8IR
— Daily Gazette (@dgazette) December 22, 2017
"They said the marijuana was for Christmas presents," York County Lt. Paul Vrbka told York News Times.
With estimates approximating the holiday haul at $336,000, the gift-wrapped ganja caused this senior couple to each face felony charges of drug possession with intent to deliver and no drug tax stamp, which is required by Nebraska law.
Though many states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, Nebraska is not among them. According to BDS Analytics, a marijuana industry research firm, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, all states where marijuana has been legalized or decriminalized, have seen a spike in pot sales around the holiday season.
The gifting of greenery is nothing new, but with marijuana not legalized on a federal level and a slim market of retailers, many similar arrests are likely to occur.
When asked about the Jirons' custody status by the Washington Post, authorities simply replied, "they're not here."
Wherever they are, it's a good guess that these sativa santas are going to take a break for the rest of the season.
