The Indian hemp defense?

A Humboldt County man was arrested in Bonsall on Tuesday afternoon, March 24, after sheriff's deputies found a large amount of marijuana and cannabis concentrates in his car.

The suspect, identified by Sgt. Patrick Yates as 24-year-old Adam Mathison, was sitting in a vehicle "that was parked awkwardly" on the 2700 block of Pala Road when he was approached by authorities. According to Mathison, he and a female companion were "sunning themselves because it improves their serotonin."

The responding deputy immediately smelled a strong marijuana odor, and a search of the car turned up 13 ounces of concentrated cannabis, 8.87 pounds of processed marijuana, and another 20 grams' worth of the plant in the form of pre-rolled joints. Mathison told the deputy he'd brought the pot from his home county for use at a "gathering" taking place on the Pauma Indian Reservation nearby.

Upon his admission, Mathison was arrested and booked on charges of transportation of marijuana for sale and possession of marijuana for sale. Deputies estimate the total value of his confiscated stash at $33,000.