PROTESTERS WANT MARIJUANA BACK

About 20 demonstrators gathered at the county courthouse Wednesday
calling for police to release a supply of marijuana seized two weeks
ago, but Eugene authorities said no chance.

In fact, the marijuana was turned over to state police and probably
already has been destroyed, said police spokeswoman Pam Alejandre.

Daniel Carl Ernst led the protesters on a march from the steps of City
Hall to the Wayne Morse Plaza, carrying homemade posters and American
flags hung upside down.

Police arrested Ernst earlier this month and confiscated about 14
pounds of marijuana and $2,000 in cash from his home near Lorane and 3
1/2 pounds of marijuana, 10 plants and $8,000 in cash from his
storefront church at 633 Almaden St. in Eugene.

Ernst claims to have stockpiled the marijuana to dispense it to people
to treat their medical conditions.

He said he needs the marijuana back to help people in
pain.

His supporters have said the state allows the use of marijuana to
relieve pain, but makes it too difficult to get the drug.

The protesters tried to get the attention of Circuit Judge Bryan
Hodges, who signed the arrest warrant for Ernst, by yelling, singing
and even calling the judge using cell phones.

Ernst said undercover officers came to him with claims of severe
medical problems and asked him for marijuana.

He said he gave them between 3 1/2 and 4 grams, and the officers gave
his church a $40 donation.

Then police arrested him and searched his office for evidence, he
said.

Ernst said police entrapped him, but Alejandre said it doesn't matter
why the officers wanted the marijuana.

"It is still against the law to provide for someone you are not
legally a provider for," she said.

The case is pending review before the grand jury and no charges have
been filed, according to the Lane County district attorney's office.