PAW PAW, MI

-- A Paw Paw Middle School teacher with a license to grow

is now facing felony drug charges because authorities say his crop was too large and he also manufactured hashish.

Two members of Michigan State Police's Southwest Enforcement Team raided Scot Granke's Arlington Township property on Aug. 21 after receiving a tip from Granke's estranged wife, Marlene, according to testimony at a Oct. 14 probable cause hearing seeking a warrant for Granke's arrest.

Trooper Evan Hauger and Lt. Tim Blanksford found 66 plants, 18 more than Granke's license allowed, and a pound of possessed marijuana, when the maximum Granke is allowed is 15 ounces, Lt. Kevin Wiley testified.

They also found hash, which is not allowed under the medical marijuana law, and four unregistered handguns, Wiley told Magistrate James Becker of the South Haven District Court.

Wiley described it as a "very large, complex marijuana and hash manufacturing operation."

"He admitted that manufactured marijuana and was very specific about who he supplied marijuana to, and he only supplied it to patients," Wiley testified, but added, "he is over the limit" of what his license allows."

"Granke admitted that he manufactures hash in the form of butter, claiming that it is easier for some people to take," Wiley said. "There is no way the hash would be allowed under the Medical Marijuana Act."

Becker authorized one count of manufacturing marijuana and one count of manufacturing hash, both felonies, plus four misdemeanor counts of possessing an unlicensed handgun.

Each felony count carries a potential sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

Attempts to reach Granke and his attorney were unsuccessful.

Granke has a preliminary examination scheduled for Nov. 12 in South Haven District Court.

Granke, 50, has been on paid leave since August, said Diana Davis, Paw Paw interim superintendent.

Granke has three children, ages 19, 17 and 6, according to his school website. Scot and Marlene Granke have a divorce pending in Van Buren Circuit Court.

Julie Mack covers K-12 education and writes a column for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Email her at jmack1@mlive.com, call her at 269-350-0277 or follow her on Twitter at kzjuliemack.