POLICE CONFISCATE RESIDUAL MARIJUANA FROM MEDICAL USER'S RIVER ROAD HOME

Drug officers raided the home of a Eugene man who uses marijuana as
medicine and confiscated 3 to 4 pounds of residual marijuana, police said
Thursday.

The Lane County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team served a search
warrant Wednesday on Michael E. Golden, 44, of 345 River Road. The amount
of residual marijuana found was well more than what Oregon allows for
medicinal purposes, said Pam Alejandre, spokeswoman for Eugene police.

Sources told police that Golden had sold them between a half-pound and a
pound of marijuana on at least six occasions, Alejandre said.

Golden denied selling marijuana and said what was taken from him has no
medicinal or street value. He described it as residue that has accumulated
over the years in a device similar to a vaporizer used to inhale marijuana.

Golden uses marijuana to treat head pain suffered in car accidents and
other injuries, he said.

Although federal law prohibits the use of marijuana as medicine, Oregonians
can register for exemption from the state's marijuana laws, within certain
limits, if they have a debilitating medical condition. The law permits
cardholders to grow marijuana for themselves and to possess 3 dried ounces
of marijuana, one for each mature plant.

Police should learn next week whether the marijuana is potent. If so,
Golden could face charges of distribution, possession or both.