Pubdate: Wed, 12 Nov 2008
Source: News-Times (Forest Grove, OR)
Copyright: 2008 Pamplin Media Group
Contact: http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/forms/letters_form.php
Website: http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4520
Author: Stover E. Harger III
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE TAKES ON SHERIFF

Former Oregon Resident Says The Law Clearly Requires Confidentiality

Does Washington County Sheriff Rob Gordon have it out for medical 
marijuana users?

That's what a Vancouver man is asking in a complaint filed with the 
state agency that monitors police conduct.

Marcus Griffith, a 27-year-old former Oregon resident, filed a 
complaint last month with the state Department of Public Safety 
Standards and Training, questioning Gordon's contention that his 
office can release information about participants in the Oregon 
Medical Marijuana Act if they break the law.

Last month the sheriff's office decided it would change its 
interpretation of the state's 10-year-old medical marijuana law, 
which deems most information about those who use the drug (and those 
who legally grow it for them ) to be confidential. Gordon's office 
said those who break the law by selling marijuana, or growing more 
than is allowed under the act, lose their right to privacy.

"It's our contention that once a person has broken the rules, they're 
no longer protected by that act," said Sgt. David Thompson, sheriff's 
office spokesman.

Thompson noted the office has not yet released any personal 
information about participants in the program. But, he said the 
department is prepared to take that step to better inform the public 
about rising crimes, including robberies and assaults, associated 
with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.

Some, including defense lawyer Leland Berger and Griffith, have 
argued that Gordon is overstepping his bounds.

"If Rob Gordon was sticking to focusing on the abuse of the system, 
and was giving a fair treatment to the program, I would have no 
complaints," said Griffith, who is not a medical marijuana 
participant, but developed an interest in the program while studying medicine.

Griffith said he first contacted the sheriff's office last month by 
e-mail with concerns over factual errors contained in a press release 
about crimes related to medical marijuana. Thompson acknowledged 
there were errors in the original press release, but told the 
News-Times a corrected release had been sent out.

Griffith then filed his complaint to the state police agency, 
claiming Gordon knowingly released false statements about the program 
in the press release.

Two weeks ago, he amended his complaint after the News-Times 
published a story about Gordon's interpretation of the 
confidentiality clause of the law ("Medical marijuana crimes on the 
rise," Oct. 22, 2008). In his amended complaint, Griffith stated he 
believes Gordon is directing the department to violate privacy laws 
because he's biased against people who use medical marijuana.

DPSST officials say that since Griffith's complaint was based on 
possible criminal conduct, it should go to the District Attorney's office.

Griffith is unsure what his next step will be. "My involvement in 
this matter is purely as a patient advocate," he said.
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