DAVENPORT, Iowa, July 10 (UPI) -- Benton Mackenzie, a terminal cancer patient, and his wife Loretta faced multiple drug charges after police seized 71 marijuana plants in May 2013.

The two were found guilty of manufacturing marijuana, conspiracy, violation of the drug tax stamp act and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Scott County Attorney Mike Walton. Their son, Cody, was also convicted of misdemeanor possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.


Mackenzie admitted the plants were his and said he was growing them to harvest cannabis oil to ease the pain in his joints caused by his disease.

"After the verdict, MacKenzie stipulated that he has been twice before convicted of drug felonies. In 2011, both Benton and Loretta MacKenzie were convicted of possession with intent to deliver. They were on probation for those charges when charged with the current charges. In 2000, Benton MacKenzie was convicted of possession with intent to deliver," said Walton.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 28.