Pot plants found in college greenhouse

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Police have confiscated 11 suspected marijuana plants from the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

University of Michigan Police Lt. Bob Neumann said the plants were confiscated after a teacher overseeing a research project created by biology students discovered the suspected cannabis growing among the sprouts planted by students, The Ann Arbor (Mich.) News reported Thursday.

The purpose of the project "was to grow various herbs, vegetables, annuals and perennials, but not marijuana,'' Neumann said. "I've never heard of this happening before and it's definitely unusual, and gutsy.''

Neumann said the project, which involves about 80 students, will be allowed to continue -- but without the suspicious sprouts, which are bound for the Michigan State Police crime lab for testing and evidence processing.