HUNGER STRIKE AT COUNTY JAIL

Inmate Demands Marijuana

A recently confined inmate in the Stevens County jail is on hunger strike,
demanding that he be allowed to smoke marijuana for medical reasons. Arthur
C. Shepherd Jr. was arraigned last Friday in Superior Court on charges of
manufacturing and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). Al
Nielson, assistant prosecuting attorney recommended to Superior Court Judge
Rebecca M. Baker that Shepherd be released on his own recognizance if he
were to promise that he would not use marijuana or partake of any other
illegal activity prior to his trial. Shepherd refused, contending that he
needed the marijuana for medical and religious reasons. Shepherd’s
attorney told the judge that the defense had "mounds" of documentation
substantiating Shepherd’s need for marijuana. Judge Baker gave Shepherd the
ultimatum that he could promise to abstain form the use of marijuana, or
she would have to order him to be placed into custody.

Shepherd again told Judge Baker that he required the use of marijuana and
that he would use marijuana if released.

Judge Baker ordered Shepherd to run himself in to the jail and Shepherd
complied within the hour.

According to Becky Dobbs, Chief Corrections Officer for the Stevens County
Sheriff’s Department, Shepherd has only eaten one apply since he was taken
into custody on Friday.

"We have allowed bottled water to be brought to him from outside the jail,
but the bottle’s seal cannot be broken," said Dobbs. "Shepherd is on a
hunger strike, demanding that he be allowed to use marijuana for medical
reasons. All I can do is make sure tat he doesn’t pass out. If he does,
we will call in the medical profession."

Dobbs admits that she has no experience in dealing with this particular
type of hunger strike.

"We have had a few inmates refuse to eat for one reason or another, but
never because we wouldn’t give them marijuana to smoke, added Dobbs. "None
have ever gone to the point of passing out, most usually east again after
about a week.

Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney Jerry Wetle thinks that this case could
turn out to be Washington State’s first test case of initiative 692 which
was passed by the citizens of the state last year. The Initiative allows
person with some chronic and terminal illnesses to use and possess marijuana.

Trial date for Shepherd has been set for Dec. 13.