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Friday, November 8,2002
Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 51
Search and seizure
Veteran Leroy Stubblefield fights
to grow medical marijuana
plants despite contradictions
in state and federal laws
Caron Alarab
Freelance Reporter
Ordinarily, Leroy Stubblefield
enjoys it when his friends stop by
unannounced.
As a 54-year-old Vietnam veteran,
however, Stubblefield said he was
not happy when a “friend” from the
Drug Enforcement Agency stopped
in without notice — and without
identifying himself — and seized his
state-authorized marijuana plants
during a search of his Lebanon ranch
in late September.
“I try to lead a very simple life,” he
said. “It’s an ultimate shock.”
On Sept. 23, during a state inves
tigation of a potentially excessive
number of legal plants on the prem
ises, DEA agent Michael Spasaro
took 12 plants from Stubblefield’s
2.5 acre ranch, eight of which be
longed to his two caregivers, fellow
veterans and medical marijuana
card holders Scott Russell, 46, and
Clarence Vandehay, 48.
Although the three men were in ac
cordance with state law, which allows
up to seven plants per person, Stub
blefield said he would not have al
\ lowed the members of the Valley In
teragency Narcotics Team (VALIANT)
to perform the search had he known
a federal agent — enforcing federal
laws — was with them.
Spasaro was unable to be reached
for comment.
Stubblefield, a quadriplegic who
has been registered with the Oregon
State Health Division as a medical
marijuana user since 1999, said he
uses marijuana to relieve pain asso
ciated with post traumatic stress dis
order and to repress sleep apnea,
two conditions his doctors say are a
result of his combat experience
overseas.
Marijuana has been a point of con
tention between states and the U.S.
government since the Marihuana Tax
Act of 1937. Fighting against federal
ly assisted state searches and for
the return of his plants, Stubblefield
has teamed up with a Portland attor
ney and The Hemp and Cannabis
Turn to Marijuana, page 4A
Veteran Daniel Scott
Russel (above) is the
primary caretaker of
the marijuana plants
and holds a medical
marijuana card.
Leroy G.
Stubblefield, (left)
former serviceman
forthe United
States, has had to
use a wheelchair
for 33 years and has
used medical
marijuana since
1999.
Adam Amato Emerald
Group logos
must have
UO approval
At meetings this week, ASUO student groups are
given more rules about publishing new materials,
including University approval of groups’ logos
Jan Montry
Campus/Federal Politics Reporter
The University and ASUO officials have spent this week
spelling out a new policy that will require ASUO-funded
groups to use the University’s “O” logo on all new publications.
But at a Wednesday meeting, officials announced if stu
dent groups want their own logo included with the “O” logo,
they must submit it for University approval first. The rules
are all part of a new policy that ASUO-funded groups must
follow immediately to order new materials, such as letter
heads and posters.
Director of Publications George Beltran confirmed
Wednesday that group logos must be cleared with Strategic
Communications Associate Vice President Harry Battson
before Jan. 1.
Beltran said the process would be a good time for groups
to consider updating their old logos.
Groups may want to “use this as an opportunity — or this
Turn to Logo, page 3A
Crime patrol
program lacks
participants
The University Yellow Jackets Nfolunteer Program
currently has only 12 members and needs more
committed volunteers in order to keep operating
Danielle Gillespie
Safety/Crime/Transportation Reporter
A lack of student interest has prevented the University Yel
low Jackets Volunteer Program, a crime prevention team that
patrols the campus at night, from operating this year, and the
program’s future remains undetermined.
The group of students, staff and community members
came together in April in response to the 10 campus attacks
that occurred from February7 2001 to March 2002.
Yellow Jacket Student Coordinator Meghan Madden said
that even though the program is having trouble finding
enough volunteers — the group only has 12 committed
members — she hopes to see patrols start Monday.
Unless more people show interest, Department of Public
Safety Director Tom Hicks said he is unsure if the program
will work. He said because volunteers are required to work in
pairs for safety reasons, the program needs more than just a
Turn to Safety, page 8A
Weather
Today: High 55, Low 45,
rain, chance of thunderstorms
Saturday: High 55, Low 45,
rain at times
Looking ahead
Monday
A state commission helps
make up for lost need grants
Tuesday
Ay where's the rub? Pulse
Relax kneads to know
Symposium teaches sustainability
Speakers and workshops for the
Sustainable Business Symposium
educate students about successful,
environmentally friendly practices
Jody Burruss
Environment/Science/Technology Reporter
The sixth annual Sustainable Business Sym
posium began on campus Thursday, featuring a
variety of speakers and workshops addressing
topics ranging from transportation solutions to
the Federal Organic Act.
This year’s theme is “Turning Vision Into Re
ality: Linking Economy, Ecology and Commu
nity.” The symposium will bring together
speakers to discuss and investigate sustainable
theory and how it can become a working reality
in the world of business.
“(The goal is) to show that businesses can be
successful and profitable while practicing busi
ness in a way that doesn’t degrade the environ
ment,” Shandra LeVan, SBS board member and
project manager, said.
One of the workshops, “How to Start a Sus
tainable Business or Cooperative,” focuses on
lending, marketing, accounting, financing and
environmentally friendly purchasing for people
interested in starting and running their own
green business.
“We see that businesses can really be a leader
in creating sustainability,” LeVan said.
Organizers say they hope people who attend
the workshops and panels will carry out what
they learn in their everyday business practices.
Scott Pope, a certified financial planner for
Progressive Investment Management, will lead a
discussion in the “Socially Responsible Invest
ing for Businesses” panel. Pope will talk about
how people can invest their money while keep
ing the goal of sustainability in mind.
“It’s an attempt to fit people’s investments
with their personal values,” he said.
The “Renewable Energy” panel will examine
the future of energy use and the implementation
of more renewable technologies. Jim Maloney,
Eugene Water and Electric Board energy re
source projects manager, will speak about mak
ing sound investments in renewable energies to
provide a better future. He said even though new
investments may seem costly now, it is impor
tant to look past the short-run.
“You can’t take your eye off the long-term
Turn to Symposium, page 4A