Medical Patient Harassment on the Rise in Oregon

The presence of the DEA has caused Oregon law enforcement to turn a deaf ear to the voice of the people.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - I guess it could be difficult; spending your life as a law enforcement officer, and having to turn away from what you have always perceived to be a crime, that is the use of marijuana. "Suck it up" is what they used to tell us in the Marine Corps when we had to deal with a rule we didn't like, the same applies here.

What happened to one driver in the coastal town of Lincoln City two weeks ago typifies the current trends in Oregon police behavior. I would describe this long time friend of mine as a medical marijuana patient with his act together. He's one of those people who knows his rights, something that most cops find frustrating and scary.

The man's name is not being used for obvious reasons. Medical Marijuana patients are becoming increasingly distrustful of police. The traffic stop serves as a classic example of a squandering of taxpayer money.

Oregon voters have spoken repeatedly, but police in our state from the top down are still trying to undermine the wishes of the people. It is government driven sabotage, it has to stop. Their priorities are unsettling and the motivations behind them are highly questionable.

Think about it: over half of the people in this state who vote want medical patients to have access to legal marijuana. Doesn't that say enough by itself? The Presidential Administration doesn't like it, nor does the DEA. They are allied with the industries that would have to compete with legal marijuana. Your local police aren't standing up for you in many cases, they want to be friends with the federal agents, and the agents are in essence, working for all kinds of businesses as they influence our cops into doing whatever they can to make medical pot look bad.

Now, as they lap up their resources from the public trough, these federal DEA agents have set up shop in Oregon, and they're harassing your neighbors, your friends and your loved ones on your dime.

Even if you have never used pot and don't support it, do you want these guys in here telling your city's police officers how to behave? Do you want local cops to nod because federal cops are "all the rage"?

These federal agents are in our local Oregon police departments showing them power point presentations about how Oregon's Medical Marijuana Program is being abused, and they are nothing but political operatives for the pharmaceutical companies at that point. They know marijuana is a natural herb, they know hemp is the strongest natural fiber known to man, and they lie through their teeth as a matter or policy, always knowing that marijuana is a pussycat among illegal substances.

The saddest part is that these local cops are impressed by federal agents, the top of the law enforcement food chain, the people movies are about. In my line of work, I know plenty of police officers. Most are good people though they easily lose sight of many things when they strap their badge on. Oregon officers should tell these DEA goons to hit the street, they should stick up for our interests, the people who live in Oregon, and not be bamboozled and starstruck by DEA operatives who have stepped out of the law enforcement role and straight into politics.

In the case of my unnamed friend, his encounter with Lincoln City Police began with a speeding violation, which he readily admits. But he had been working with his plants prior to being pulled over, and the officer detected the odor.

My friend explained that he is a legal cardholding patient, but that wasn't enough. The Lincoln City cop wanted to search his car. My friend says he reacted by asking the officer if he had a warrant, and the battle was on.

Police generally try every trick in the book to get a person to submit to a search of their car. Sadly, most people in this day and age don't know that under our system of law, this thing called a Democracy, we have no obligation to allow a cop to crawl around in our automobile, that is YOUR automobile. If a police officer has reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime, then they can search your car legally and there is nothing you can do about it.

If you are not doing anything wrong, a search warrant is required for a search and most of the time, that officer better have a darned good reason for wanting to search your property. It doesn't make them look good when you come up with nothing.

Of course in areas where police are crooked, and examples of this exist at every agency at some point in time, then the officer can just plant it in a person's car and they are busted. This is one reason many attorneys cite when they advise their clients to NEVER submit to a police search.

My friend was doing nothing wrong. As a medical marijuana patient and grower, he can legally transport a large amount of marijuana in his car so the cop didn't have a leg to stand on.

But he tried and tried, my friend said. As time wore on about the only thing the officer could find that would allow him to legally search the car had nothing to do with marijuana at all. My friend could not find his proof of insurance, and that led to the only time he saw a police officer smile that day.

So the tow truck was called and my friend's trip to have coffee with his friends was delayed longer. The Lincoln City Police were feeling better about the encounter, my friend believes, because they finally found a reason to make his life as a medical marijuana patient just a little harder. But just then, lo and behold, he found his insurance card...

The traffic encounter was less than glorious for the small town officers. After the insurance card was shown, my friend reasoned that the experience was over. He started to walk toward the coffee shop, and that is when the officer put his hand on his gun, telling my friend to come back. It ended in the officer writing a speeding ticket.

So as Oregon police officers, troopers and deputies continue to bring political pressure on the medical marijuana program, and newscasters and headlines keep blasting that a person arrested "was a medical marijuana patient", remember that in at least some of the cases, the "busts" are the result of a lot of police time and effort being spent on patient harassment.

This campaign to discredit Oregon's Medical Marijuana Program is a product of direct political influence, and it is tied to industries that would suffer under legalization, which is inevitable.

Many police officers are not personally driven to arrest people for marijuana offenses, they know it is not important enough to bother chasing an herb that has no fatal qualities. Our kids need to be taught about much worse things, it is a flower, it should not be classified with meth and heroin as it is in the wisdom of Oregon.

They aren't busting meth labs, they aren't catching murderers and thieves, they're devoting their resources, paid for by you and I, to inflicting political harm on Oregon's Medical Marijuana Program and glorifying the desires of the federal government.

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A. Stern October 30, 2007 4:04 pm (Pacific time)

Oregon police and DAs need to stop trying to subvert the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. It is the law, and if cops have a problem with, they should get another line of work. Spend the $ and resources busting violent criminals.

Jesse October 29, 2007 9:59 pm (Pacific time)

To Festus: A reporter's job is to report the facts and all of Mr. King's articles are based on facts and not supposition. He is fulfilling his commitment to keep the public informed.What goes around comes around and those who testified against Mr. Alexander will have their day in court. This includes the "alleged victims". I wonder if it has occurred to them that their children may one day be subjected to the same lies they have inflicted on others. Let Mr. Alexander get on with his life and I hope he is remembering to pray for those lost souls. One of them was advertising herself on My Space the same day she testified against Mr. Alexander. This contradicts her statement about the "fear" she says she has. Now that is what you call a dirt bag.

Skipper Osborne October 28, 2007 7:37 pm (Pacific time)

I thought that this article was about "medical patient harrassment on the rise in Oregon." How in the hell did Mr. Alexander Sterlings name come into the picture? Since it did, let me put my $.02 in. One of the alleged victims in Sterling's case was having sex with another ex-Salem police officer (he was having sex with her when he was a Salem police officer) by the name of Jeffrey Jonathan Barnes, who testified against Sterling; (Sterling is African American and Jeffrey Barnes is White) go figure! The Oregon State Police is investigating Jeff Barnes, and Detective Terri Cassebarth of the Oregon State Police, and others for possible purjury! And as for as Salem-News.com reportting the news; they, especially Mr. Tim King, has reported the news more honestly, with more integrity, with a 50/50 reporting of both sides of the issue of Mr. Alexander's case (check it out for yourself, you do not have to believe me; compare Salem-New.com coverage, to your Statesman Journal's writing by journalis Mr. Dennis Thompson); If one had any inkling of integrity after reading both reportings of the case, you would apologize to Mr. King, online. Anyways, now to the other story that we are suppose to be talking about. I agree with Mr. King article in its entirety, especially with his statement,"... they are nothing but political operatives for the pharmaceutical companies..." Most Doctors and phamaceutical companies are in bed together. When was the last time you got a "free sample of medication/s" from your doctor? There is no doubt in my mind, and test have proven that marijuana is better for you than a lot of pharmaceutical drugs, which we are finding out that are killing us and people overdosing on them - Can anyone tell me when the last time one over dosed on marijuana? Oregon voters decided many times that it is okay and it is now the law to have medical marijuana, and a medical marijuana card. Police officers that abuse their power once a medical marijuana card is shown should just say, "thank you sir or mam" and go on their merry way. On the other hand if one does not have the medical marijuana card, then they must and should be dealt with according to the applicable law. Most police officers would want to agree with the DEA and the federal government in order to increase their "POWER" and "ENLARGE THEIR CIRCLE OF BLUE AND CODE OF SILENCE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER," and control the people. People wake up before it is to late.

Neal Feldman October 28, 2007 11:05 am (Pacific time)

Anonymous - Well I guess the entire medical and pharmaceutical industries are 'just another reason to use that stuff' then huh? As for drunks on the road alcohol is legal and kills how many tens of thousands every year? Marijuana (medical is legal otherwise is illegal) has never been proven to have killed a single person EVER. You do not see any problem with this picture, huh? And I'm a 'liberal' huh? Why don't you check what the 'liberals' call me over on the immigration discussion. LOL A fool and his blather are easily exposed it seems. Ah well...

Anonymous October 28, 2007 3:17 am (Pacific time)

medical marijuana? just another excuse to use this stuff. but what the heck, we have drunks on the roads why not have the "medical marijuana" people on the road. sad world we live in. it's all the stinking liberals fault.

Neal Feldman October 28, 2007 12:53 am (Pacific time)

Festus - the medical marijuana issue IS 'real news' whether you like it or not. It would seem that you are one of the minority who voted against the issue when it was TWICE supported by the voters of Oregon. If you supported it then you, too, would be outraged at how the law enforcement agencies are harassing those trying to just legally avail themselves of their rights and misrepresenting a tiny handful of borderline offenders (or fabricated offenders such as Beasley in Keizer who were in fact in compliance) in an effort to negatively broadbrush all participants in the program. The site covers a fairly broad range of news issues. Why is it that you seem so desperate that this issue be silenced? As for Sterling Alexander with an investigation and prosecution (persecution?) so tainted and corrupt and coming in the wake of a racial discrimination complaint it is surprising any objective thinking person could come to the conclusion you have regarding Mr Alexander. Sure you might be right but the case was so botched that how can you be so sure? And remember it is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, and the 'proof' in this case is so suspect it is ridiculous. Ah well...

Neal Feldman October 28, 2007 12:45 am (Pacific time)

So this - I will cop to the fact that yes our cops have a lot to learn in this. But at least as I said we don't have to pay more than $425 a month for a 2br small apartment (well I have a house but I checked listings) while the sorry folks in the LA and OC areas pay $1500 for that. I honestly do not know how they manage to afford those rents but it is not my problem so I will leave them to it. Ah well...

Festus October 27, 2007 9:40 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, I use to have respect for you. However, it seems lately that you are spending time writing about many things that are wrong, but you allow your personal feelings to dictate your stories. Classic example: Sterling Alexander. Yes, that investigation may have been poorly ran, but bottom line, he was a dirt bag that didn't deserve to wear the uniform. Now, the marijuana issue. Start reporting on real news and keep your personal opinion out of your stories.

So this is Oregon? October 27, 2007 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks for that Neal, but I have to disagree. Our state has several times the number of people and patients. California cops have accepted that the world is a changing place, I think your cops have a long way to go.

Neal Feldman October 27, 2007 3:14 pm (Pacific time)

So this - well I thin I prefer Oregon. I used to live in CA and in addition to the fires, earthquakes, and ridiculous rents/housing prices you also seem to have even more problems implementing your own medical marijuana program. Ah well...

So this is Oregon? October 27, 2007 2:34 pm (Pacific time)

We may have wildfires and other problems, but at least California is advanced compared to our northern neighbor. Too many hicks and rednecks in Oregon it sounds like, and Barney Fife works in , where is it, Lincoln City? Good luck in the rain.

Editor October 27, 2007 1:51 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks for your advice Doug Palaschak.

True American October 27, 2007 10:58 am (Pacific time)

It is sad to see so much fear, Police do many unlawful things "in the act of upholding the law", Good Job with this article and thank you for exposing the real truth and not some political jargen

Monty October 27, 2007 9:56 am (Pacific time)

The sad truth of this is while these public servants wasted two hours of there time someone certainly nearby was assaulted, or raped,or some child was sexually assaulted, or some rich cat utterly destroyed thousands of peoples lives with some white collar money crime. Meanwhile the cops are following there own agenda and certainly not the law I voted for!

Neal Feldman October 27, 2007 8:45 am (Pacific time)

dd877 - marinol is not as effective with everyone and can cause problems of its own. Also while vaporization is much better than smoking there are many health issues smoking tobacco has that smoking cannabis does not so why is tobacco legal and pot is not? Ah well...

Sue October 27, 2007 7:16 am (Pacific time)

But where is the cop's side of the story? Sorry, too many assumptions and jumping to conclusions for me to buy into this one.

DD877 October 27, 2007 7:08 am (Pacific time)

I am sure that there are pills with the magic Elixir in them remember smoking is bad for your health. It don't matter legal substance or no driving impaired is driving impaired

Salem Reader October 27, 2007 2:27 am (Pacific time)

Tim, although you have every right to report the stories you want, why have to forgotten about the actions of Birr, Piontek and Connolly (among others) who brutalized and permanently maimed a private citizen over a couple years ago and have yet to pay the price?

Neal Feldman October 27, 2007 12:00 am (Pacific time)

Anne - Do you consider standing up for your rights as 'tossing grief' at the cop? Justr because he reeked of pot means nothing if he flashes his OMMA card, for in such a situation barring any obvious recklessly endangering impairment the card IS, for the offense of 'reeking of pot' (if that really is an offense at all) a 'get out of jail free card'. Just like if some 3w0 yr old is 'caught' buying scotch at the local liquor store showing his ID that shows above 21 yrs of age is a get out of jail free card. It is not propaganda to show when those in authority are themselves not obeying the laws they are sworn to uphold (whether they philosophically agree with them or not)... the propaganda is the crap those in authority like in this case, the Beasley case and others are doing with the likes of the Oregonian, failing in its responsibilities, cheering them on. Ah well...

Neal Feldman October 26, 2007 11:54 pm (Pacific time)

Justin - It has nothing to do with 'liberal views'. I, for example, have 'liberal' positions on some topics, 'conservative' views on some, 'populist' on others and 'out of the mainstream' on yet others. I do not see Tim saying the police are always wrong. In fact the article did commend them for when they are right. But it is YOU who are trying to imply, it seems, that the police are NEVER wrong, and surely you can see how foolish a position that is. The media's main job is not to entertain, it is to INFORM. It is to keep watch on those in power and expose cprruption and wrongdoing on the part of those in authority to prevent as much of said wrongdoing as possible. That is what Tim is doing in this article. This event with his friend is just another in a long list of harassments by law enforcement against medical marijuana patients. Another is the Beasley case in Keizer where a patient and grower fully entitled to make hash oil by the OMMA was busted for making hash oil. Are there cases of medical marijuana patients screwing up? Sure. Ex-patient Freeman recently is an example. I give no support to those folks, and I doubt Tim does either, as their actions undermine the OMMA patients and the program, but the fact is that with nearly 30,000 cardholders only a small handful of problems have ever shown up. Certainly not enough to justify the expenditures and the harassments... and harassing medical patients is, IMHO, a pretty sick 'sport' for law enforcement to be engaging in. And any activities of those in authority which give legitimate reason for honest citizens to fear and distrust their government is very dangerous as it will eventualy undermine any respect and support for the law. Is that what you want? Ah well...

Neal Feldman October 26, 2007 11:44 pm (Pacific time)

Sue - If the cop smells pot all the driver need do is show his OMMA card and that should be the end of it unless the cop can visibly see amounts clearly exceeding that which the card allows. Yes the cops always WANT rto search. But the 4th amendment says the can't always do what they might want. And sobriety tests are called for only if there was erratic driving that demonstrated probable cause for impairment. And tests have shown that while alcohol makes drivers more reckless pot makes drivers more careful. In virtually all motor vehicle accidents attributed to impairment by cannabis there was ALSO impairment by alcohol... and it is likely that it was the alcohol impairment, not the presence of thc in the system, that was the cause of any erratic hehavior. But it is ridiculous the amount of law enforcement resources currently being directed at harassing entirely law abiding citizens (OMMA medical patients) in the hopes of tripping one up on something. Or even fabricating offenses like in the Beasley case in Keizer. You see nothing wrong with this? Ah well...

Anne October 26, 2007 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

I'd be a frustrated cop too if I came across yet another person who thinks they can flash their medical marijuana card like it's a get out of jail free. He was on the road and he reeked of pot, the officer did what he felt necessary to make sure the situation was under control before he let your friend back out on the road, and I think I can read between the lines here and deduce that your friend tossed him more than a little bit of grief. Anyway, agree with Justin... this site has become more about propaganda than news, and it gets tiresome.

Jose Mendez October 26, 2007 5:34 pm (Pacific time)

Since when do the police get blamed or placed in the wrong? You must have Salem-News.com confused with some other Website. People are counting on the police to simply obey the law, themselves. That is too much to ask Justin? Sometimes people who like to give others a bad time get some of it back.

Justin October 26, 2007 5:00 pm (Pacific time)

Why is it that the Police are always the ones in the wrong? It isn't the case at all, and I think that you have gone to a extreme to make them look bad. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED in a website that has become my favorite for its up to the minute news. I am afraid that your liberal views are showing and that is to bad. Stick to the news, you do it much better. This article is a black eye to your website. The pen is always so powerful, but you are not out there wearing a bullet proof vest everyday because you never know when a simple traffic stop is going to be the very last one of your life. I am sorry if this is truely the way you feel it is a sad day for you, because when you have become the victum of a crime, only then will you appreciate the fact that those police are there doing their job for YOU and for everyone one else.

Eve Strasser October 26, 2007 3:48 pm (Pacific time)

You gotta be kidding me! Where's the law? Where's the protection against this kind of police mumbojumbo? If my house was robbed during that time I'd be really angry, they need to get it figured out before somebody sues the city into submission. The OMMP is the law last I heard.

Anonymous October 26, 2007 3:28 pm (Pacific time)

What a pitiful reminder of the mindset of cops on the Oregon coast. I hate what is going on with these crazy law and cops!!!

Sue October 26, 2007 2:38 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry, Tim. If I were the cop, I would want to search too. The smell is an indication that he might be under the influence and have some in the car. I would imagine (although I don't know for sure) that like alcohol, you can't have marijuana where the driver can access it. As far as not having the insurance card, I know a lot of people that have had their cars towed. That is the law too.

Tim: Sue, do you really believe that? If he can legally transport it, which he can, then it smells the car up. I guess you think that every person should be subject to total scrutiny? Besides, over the course of almost two hours they never had him perform a field sobriety test. If that were the suspicion then I would agree with you, but it wasn't. The insurance is the law, but it is sad and unrealistic to force people to subscribe to a business they can not afford. I lived in Lincoln City for many years and wages are low, so people are hard pressed to make it, and sometimes insurance is not more of a priority than keeping the lights on. If you agree that several police should be tied up for almost two hours hassling him then that is certainly your right, we may have to agree to disagree on this one.

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Medical Patient Harassment on the Rise in Oregon

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