Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jan 2005
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2005 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Rick Bella
Cited: Oregon Cannabis & Hemp Foundation http://www.thc-foundation.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

VIOLENT THEFT IN DUNDEE IS LATEST TARGETING MARIJUANA

Having a medical license may make marijuana growers safe from police,
but not from criminals seeking their crop

The violent assault and robbery Tuesday of a Dundee man growing
medical marijuana prompted cautions from law enforcement officials.

"If you have a product that is legal for some and illegal for others
- -- and they want it -- that's an awful big temptation for bad guys,"
said Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree. "These marijuana-growing
greenhouses aren't exactly reinforced with steel and concrete."

Other law enforcement officials and medical marijuana advocates agreed
that thieves have preyed on legal growing operations, leading to a
scattered problem across Oregon.

"I've been getting reports from Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon of
thefts and assaults," said Paul Stanford, executive director of the
Portland-based Oregon Cannabis & Hemp Foundation, an education and
support group for medical marijuana users. "It may not be a real big
problem, but it's a real one."

Crabtree said Ernest R. Holter, 50, heard an alarm sounding about 5:30
a.m. Tuesday in his barn along Hagey Road, just northeast of the
Dundee city limits.

When Holter went to investigate, he was hit on the head and in the
face. Holter passed out and lay on the ground until 7:19 a.m., when he
was able to call for help.

Holter was rushed to Providence Newberg Hospital and then transferred
to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland, where he
underwent surgery for his head injuries. He was in serious condition
Wednesday in the hospital's intensive-care unit.

Crabtree said Holter, a construction worker who had been laid off, had
a valid medical marijuana card, entitling him to grow marijuana to
cope with chronic pain. However, Crabtree said the 1998 Oregon Medical
Marijuana Act, passed by voters after a statewide initiative drive,
has created a large gray area for police.

According to the law, an Oregon resident can obtain a medical
marijuana card by applying to the state Health Division after
receiving a doctor's recommendation. According to Jan. 1 figures,
9,813 Oregonians now possess the cards, with an additional 1,327
applications pending.

Under the law, those enrolled in the program can possess "three mature
marijuana plants, four immature marijuana plants and 1 ounce of usable
marijuana per each mature plant" in their homes.

However, the marijuana-growing operations, generally in homes, gardens
or outbuildings, are vulnerable to thieves.

In September, a Southwest Portland man was shot and wounded by thieves
targeting his medical marijuana. The man was shot in the doorway of
his home, and thieves left before taking anything.

In 2002, two Gold Hill residents watched with horror at repeated
attempts to steal their medical marijuana. Intruders cut their
chain-link fence and stabbed their guard dog. They got into trouble
with authorities when they fired a warning shot -- within the Gold
Hill city limits -- to scare off the would-be thieves.

And Crabtree related the story of a Yamhill County medical marijuana
grower who weathered a shotgun blast by would-be thieves several years
ago.

Lt. Craig Durbin of the Oregon State Police drug enforcement section
said he was concerned that well-intentioned organizations such as the
Oregon Cannabis & Hemp Foundation could find themselves a target for
criminals if they have legal marijuana on their premises.

"That's a big temptation for thieves," Durbin said. "There are a lot
of guys out there who look for things like that."

Oregon is one of 11 states allowing medical marijuana. Other states
with similar programs are Washington, Alaska, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada and Vermont. Arizona has a law allowing
medical marijuana, but no active program. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake