Jury Acquits Washington Man in Medical Marijuana Case

After nearly two years of relentless accusations and threat of jail time, it is now all a matter of history.

The verdict is in. Acquittal.

(PORT ORCHARD, Wash.) - A Washington man who being prosecuted for marijuana in spite of the fact that he is a legal, registered medical marijuana patient in Washington, has been acquitted by a jury. His wife was also arrested in the May 2007 raid at their home, and she previously pleaded guilty over pressure from the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office in Port Orchard.

54-year old Bruce Olson had faced one count of "manufacturing" (growing) marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. The trial lasted a full two weeks.

The prosecution's star witnessed according to trial attendees, was a drug addict who had to be brought out from Oklahoma.

Olson's case dates back to May 2007. That is when detectives with the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team made their arrest, contending that Olson had more marijuana than state law allowed.

Unfortunately for the Olson's and others in Washington, the law was vague concerning the number of plants allowable, and so certain prosecutors took advantage of that by arresting legal patients.

The Kitsap Sun's Josh Farley reported that the jury spent between two and three hours deliberating both Monday and Tuesday, before returning the verdict.

Bruce Olson can breathe a sigh of relief, but the actions and motives of the prosecutor's office here have raked Mr. Olson through the mud. As a result of what now appears to have been a bogus arrest, he had to sell his home of over 20 years to fund his defense, and he and his wife, Pamela, now live in an RV.

To make matters even worse, the state of Washington decided that she can not use medical marijuana for her pain while she's on probation.

Regardless of all they've been through, the Olson's feel they've helped others.

"But it's worth it for the cause: Quit arresting medical marijuana patients," he said after the verdict.

This verdict is celebrated around the country, as medical marijuana patients (legal in 13 states) feel validation through the judicial system they entrust with their very lives.

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scott March 29, 2009 8:56 pm (Pacific time)

ridiculous get all the meth off the stuffs not LEGAL marijuana patients.. being on probation makes it so you cant use your meds? thats bs, but you can use Oxy contin instead? what the hell

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Just Me March 25, 2009 10:29 pm (Pacific time)

"I hope that the good citizens will show him the door." I live in Port Orchard and I am sure as hell gonna try!!!! I know someone who was on this jury and they didn't even know why they were there! This trial was BS and the jury saw right through it, That is why the spent such little time with the verdict! I could hardly wait until the trial was over just so the jury member could talk about it (they wouldn't even confirm or deny what jury they were seated on until it was all over... but I knew :) and that is the ONLY reason I didn't go and support the defendant!) The law is clearer now but that doesn't bring back this couples home or anything else they lost. I hope there is a way for them to file a lawsuit!

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James March 25, 2009 5:14 pm (Pacific time)

Sounds like a poorly written law was the culprit in this one, not the prosecutor. Maybe this case will get a more definate description of the number of plants allowed by a grower in that state.

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Anonymous March 24, 2009 11:20 pm (Pacific time)

Notice the sentence saying, in part, "....certain prosecutors took advantage of that by arresting legal patients." Isn't this prosecutorial misconduct? Trying a person in criminal court when you know the person is innocent? This attorney needs to be taken before the State Bar and sanctioned! There are no words "explicit" enough to properly describe the actions of this attorney. I feel sorry for the victims of this case, the Olsons. There's no way they will ever recover financially from the actions of a berserk prosecutor. I wonder if the county could be sued over a blatant civil rights violation.

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John March 24, 2009 8:00 pm (Pacific time)

A 2 week trial? Are you kidding me? What a tremendous waste of our tax dollars! These prosecutors are sick, twisted individuals and should be locked up for wasting government resources.

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Dorsett Bennett March 24, 2009 5:16 pm (Pacific time)

Bonnie: Thank you for keeping us so well advised regarding this pivotal case. If that 'bleeping idiot' who so abusively prosecuted this couple is eligible for reelection, I hope that the good citizens will show him the door. Retired Lawyer

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