POT ACTIVIST CLASHES WITH THE SHERIFF OVER CONCERT

ALBANY, Ore. -- Bill Conde, a marijuana activist known for holding
major concerts on his property, says the county is trampling his First
Amendment right to peaceful assembly because officials don't like his
political efforts.

Conde said police presence scared people away from his Labor Day
"Rock-N-Reggae" concert, costing him $50,000. He said deputies were on
his land too often, in large numbers, and that roads leading to his
property were full of patrol officers stopping people for minor violations.

He accused Sheriff Dave Burright of overstepping the bounds of an
agreement between Conde and the board that allowed the event as long
as he met conditions for health, safety, sanitation and law
enforcement.

"I don't know what you people had in mind when you talked about a
spirit of cooperation, but if this is cooperation, man, God forbid
that I ever get on your bad side," Conde said.

He has vowed to sue the county and Burright.

The sheriff said Conde was exaggerating the police presence, using it
as an excuse for his problems.

"He threw a bad party and people didn't come, and to blame that on the
county is absolutely ludicrous," Burright said.