Police in Jackson County, Mississippi raided the home of a popular high school teacher and found six plants, a small grow setup and an unspecified amount of harvested marijuana.

Patrick Walker (pictured), 51, is a six year teacher at St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs. He’s being charged with felony possession and cultivation of marijuana and told police he grows it to treat an illness.

The Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County conducted an investigation on the teacher after receiving an anonymous tip. Authorities said they do not believe there is any link between Walker’s marijuana and the high school he teaches at. School officials say they are waiting on the outcome of the police investigation before deciding if Walker will ever be allowed to return.

Walker is currently free on $15,000 bond but according to a Task Force official, faces up to 30 years in jail.

“Regardless of the debate over whether marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes, in the state of Mississippi it’s still against the law to possess and it’s still against the law to grow it and it will get you up to 30 years and a million dollar bond.” – Task Force Lt.

photo by: Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County