Anytime you spend a week with a group of fellow activists, as I have during this trial, there are plenty of memorable moments. Here are a few of mine, remembered in no particular order.
• When Prosecutor Foster attempted to impeach the credibility of defense witness Paul Stanford, an expert on marijuana cultivation who is also CEO of The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF), she wanted to use Stanford’s long history with marijuana against him. Foster asked him “Why did you grow marijuana before it was legal for medical use?” Paul answered quickly, easily, and believably: “Because I like marijuana.” Bada-BING!!!
• When Prosecutor Foster attempted to impeach Pamela Olson’s testimony that she operated the grow-room, the prosecutor implied that Pam wouldn’t be able to pick up one of the ballast units used to power marijuana-growing lights. Olson, who is quite a small woman, offered to pick up the ballast in front of the jury — and did so, to the prosecutor’s embarrassment.
• Prosectutor Foster attempted to impeach the credibility of defense witness Dr. Thomas Orvald, an expert in the use of medical marijuana. Foster first asked the doctor about his stated reluctance to prescribe harsh narcotic painkillers to patients, then, thinking she was swooping in for the kill, asked him, “Why do you recommend marijuana if you are against narcotics?” To which the good Doctor quickly and correctly answered, “Because marijuana is not a narcotic.”
via Reality Catcher: Victory In Kitsap! Lessons And Moments From The Bruce Olson Medical Marijuana Trial.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Russ! And thanks so much for reproducing and linking to it.
It was a great week… Especially since it ended in victory for Our Side!
(Side note: Paul Stanford’s “Lemon Pledge” and “Trainwreck” strains, which came in numbers 1 and 2 in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Awards, are freakin’ AWESOME. Made the judge and prosecutor much more bearable, ha ha.)