A Cortez man has been ticketed after police discovered an outdoor marijauana grow in a residential backyard.

According to a two-page police report, Cortez police officer Jennifer Goodall was on patrol when she observed marijuana plants growing in a fenced backyard of a residence on the 1200 block of Jackson Street.

Upon entering the backyard with permission, Goodall said she contacted a man sleeping in a tent. The man, who claimed to be allergic to cannabis, stated he lived in the tent to safeguard the marijuana plants.

The man was subsequently ticketed for unlawful cultivation of marijuana, which carries a $500 fine.

Police didn’t indicate whether they took any action to remove the plants, but Goodall did note in the report that her eyes started to water because of the strong odor from the marijuana.