Obviously we don't know the details of this bust, but it probably happened just before Alaska legalized posession of plants for personal use. The article was written in mid-2015, and legalization passed in February of that year.
Whatever pointless, unjust penalty this person suffered, in addition to having their property seized, makes this story seem less than amusing. Maybe the words you're looking for are "tragic" or "dystopian"?
Mmm, wasn't aware of the timeline. My presumption was that the grow operation was only a problem because it was too close to a school, which is generally verboten even in legal states. My presumption being they reallocated the equipment and left the justice at that. I will retain my amusement at the reallocation but agree there may be a tragic or dystopian story we are not party to.
Whatever pointless, unjust penalty this person suffered, in addition to having their property seized, makes this story seem less than amusing. Maybe the words you're looking for are "tragic" or "dystopian"?