DUMPSTER DIVING MAY BE CATCHING ON

Is the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners scavenging for a reason to
shut down a medical-marijuana clinic in the Hollywood District?

It's hard to know for sure, since the suture-lipped board never
discusses ongoing investigations. But apparently one of its
investigators went Dumpster diving behind the Hemp and Cannabis
Foundation Medical Center two weeks ago.

"Two of our employees caught him going through the Dumpster," said
Paul Stanford, clinic manager. "He got away with some documents."

Among other things, the clinic gives away marijuana plants to patients
with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS
and severe pain.

Stanford is now suing medical board investigator Gary Stafford, saying
he has refused the clinic's repeated requests for the documents' return.

The $510,000 Multnomah County lawsuit labels Stafford's alleged
methods as "an extraordinary transgression of the bounds of socially
tolerable conduct."

In truth, Dumpster diving is becoming a wildly popular social
activity.

Need proof? Go to dumpsterworld.com, which offers everything from tips
to information about Dumpster diving "meet-ups" at cities around the
country.

And, no, it doesn't appear that Stafford has participated in the Web
chats.