Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 2004
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2004 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Stuart Tomlinson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MAN WHO WAS SHOT HAD LEGAL MARIJUANA

Police Are Investigating the Incident Where Two or More Suspects
Wounded a Southeast Portland Man

A Southeast Portland man who was shot and wounded Monday morning by at
least two men was apparently targeted for his medical marijuana,
police said Wednesday.

Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said
the 33-year-old victim, who lives in the 13000 block of Southeast
Tessa Street, is one of more than 10,000 Oregonians enrolled in the
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Schmautz said the man had a legal
marijuana growing operation at his home.

The man was shot in the abdomen, Schmautz said. Police said the man
asked them not to name the hospital where he's being treated.

"He's talking with detectives, but doesn't want to release any details
about his condition," Schmautz said.

Police have no suspects in custody and aren't sure whether two or more
men tried to enter the victim's house.

"We do know it was more than one," he said.

The shooting occurred just before 9:30 a.m. Witnesses told police they
heard screaming and the pops of about three gunshots before someone
yelled, "Why are you doing this?"

Someone saw a young man in a black coat sprinting from the area, and
police later found a black coat and a red coat in an alley off
Division Street.

Schmautz said the shooting occurred in the doorway of the victim's
residence; the men never got inside, and nothing was taken.

According to the Oregon Department of Human Services Web site, the No.
1 reason patients gave for asking for medical marijuana was for pain,
followed by persistent muscle spasms, and nausea. As of July, 10,196
patients were enrolled in the program.

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

Anyone with any information on the shooting is asked to call Detective
Cordes Towle of the Portland Police Bureau at 503-823-0464.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake