HEMP ADVOCATE WINS AROUND IN CIVIL-RIGHTS SUIT

Federal Judge David Ezra has ruled that Big Island hemp advocate Aaron
Anderson's civil-rights lawsuit against Hawaii County may include
evidence of profits lost by a hemp business cut short by police action.

In 1991, police seized 25 pounds of bird feed containing sterilized
hemp seeds which had been legally imported from China. A U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration official testified later that the seeds
were legal under federal law.

Anderson said he bought the seed for human food products.

When he was tried by the Hawaii County prosecutor's office for
possession of marijuana, the case ended in a hung jury.

The deputy prosecutor handling his case, Kay Iopa, stated in court
that Anderson was prosecuted because he was an outspoken marijuana
legalization advocate.

Anderson sued the county for alleged violation of his civil
rights.

On Monday, Ezra rejected the argument of county attorney Steven
Christensen that all hemp products are illegal in Hawaii, opening the
way for testimony on economic harm to Anderson, said his attorney,
Steven Strauss.

Ezra refused to hear Anderson's claims that the county maliciously
prosecuted him for possessing the seeds.