ORGANIZER OF HEMP FESTS FOUND GUILTY

Bill Conde, marijuana legalization activist and Linn County
businessman, was convicted of felony charges Friday in connection
with his July 1999 World Hemp Festival.

Conde, 58, was found guilty by a jury in Linn County Circuit Court in
Albany of aiding and abetting delivery of a controlled substance and
hindering prosecution.

He was acquitted of two misdemeanor charges: frequenting a place
where controlled substances are used, and endangering the welfare of
a minor by allowing people under age 18 to enter his festival grounds.

"It's two for two," Conde said Monday. "They acquitted me for two,
and they convicted me for two."

Conde said he believes that he received an unfair jury hearing.

"They wanted to convict me before they ever heard the evidence," he
said. "I represent certain things to certain people ... they've been
convinced that I'm the enemy."

Deputy District Attorney George Eder said he was pleased with the verdict.

"The jury worked hard and they were well justified in their
conclusions," he said.

No date was set for sentencing before Judge Carol Bispham.

Conde's lawyer, Brian Michaels of Eugene, said he will appeal the verdict.

"We don't think, as a matter of law, he committed these crimes,"
Michaels said. "It seems as though he complied with everything the
state wanted him and the county wanted him to do."

The annual hemp and music festival attracts thousands to the property
surrounding Conde's redwood lumber business along Interstate 5 east
of Harrisburg.

Law enforcement officers said drug use and sales were rampant at the
three-day festival in July 1999, attended by an estimated 3,000
people.

Despite "widespread" sale of drugs, according to Sheriff Dave
Burright, there was only one arrest, of a 22-year-old Nebraska man
who allegedly sold illegal mushrooms.

Despite the convictions, Conde said he plans to hold the festival
again this year on July 20, 21 and 22.

"We will have a zero tolerance for those people who think they can
come and engage in commercial (drug) activity on my property," Conde
said. "I don't want them bringing it here."

Conde has applied to Linn County for an outdoor assembly permit for
the festival, and he said he is certain that he will receive it.

He is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 8 on the same charges for another
festival held during Labor Day weekend in 1999.

He faces more charges stemming from two events he organized in 1998.

Conde has filed a multimillion-dollar civil suit against Linn County,
claiming that his business and family have been harmed by the
county's actions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.