Hemp Activist Stumps For Measure 67
by Les Gehrett

August 29, 1998 - Albany Democrat-Herald

HARRISBURG - Critics of statewide Ballot Measure 67, which would legalize the medicinal use of marijuana, contend the measure is a "back door" for those who want to end the war on drugs.

But for William Conde, owner of Conde's Redwood Lumber near Harrisburg, there is nothing back door at all about his reasons for supporting the measure.

"My long-range goal is to live in a world where my children can live peacefully, and not have to worry about their government declaring war on them," said Conde, 55.

To that end, Conde is hosting a "Cannabis Carnival" at his Harrisburg property over Labor Day Weekend in support of Measure 67.

He also hopes to raise awareness of Ballot Measure 57, which would make possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment. He opposes the measure.

Currently, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction punishable by fines ranging from $500 to $1,000.

These efforts are nothing new for Conde.

"It has taken a major portion of my time and energy over the past twenty years," Conde said.

His activism began in earnest after he was arrested in Cottage Grove in 1976 for possession of marijuana and spent four months in jail, followed by three years of probation.

Conde said he thought long and hard about the incident.

"I did a lot of soul searching, because I thought I must have done something really wrong to have sixteen people break down the door and come in with all their guns ready," Conde said. "But the more I investigated, I found it's (marijuana use) not evil, it's good."

In addition to his work on the ballot measures, Conde is also working hard to legalize the use of hemp. It is a product that Conde thinks could revolutionize agriculture in the Willamette Valley.

"It's the most useful plant of the face of the planet," Conde said.

It is his work to legalize and popularize the use of hemp which ties together two seemingly contradictory facets of Conde's life: being an activist for drug and environmental issues and selling lumber for a living.

"I'm fifty-five, and I've been selling dead Redwood trees for thirty-two years. I could never figure out why I was conscious and in the timber industry," Conde said.

He sees hemp as his salvation.

"I believe in karma and this is the only way to cover my soul. If I can be the one to help push hemp into widespread use, that would be it," Conde said.

When asked if legalizing medicinal use of marijuana would send young people the wrong message about drug use, Conde responded by questioning the messages society is sending.

"What kind of a message is it when people who are suffering and dying are criminalized for using marijuana?" Conde asked. "Or having DARE go into schools and tell kids, `We're you're friends,' and then get them to snitch on their parents. What message is that?"

As with the World Hemp Expo Extravaganja that he hosted in July, Conde does not plan to acquire a mass gathering permit for the Labor Day weekend event.

The fee for the three-day festival, Sept. 4-6, is $12.50, which includes camping, and come-and-go privileges, Conde said. Musical acts will include Linda Hornbuckle, Rubberneck and Kerosene Dream.

Linn County Commissioner Catherine Skiens said the county has not made any enforcement decisions at this time.

"We'll just have to see how the carnival plays out this weekend. The board would then need to discuss what direction we would go in, according to whatever information we have available," Skiens said.

District Attorney Jason Carlile said no charges have been filed to this point relating to the July hemp festival.

"I know that no charges have been filed, but whether or not that happens in the future, I don't know," Carlile said. "I would trust that he would comply with all county ordinances and not tolerate any violations of the law."

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