CONDE STRIKES DEAL TO HOLD FESTIVAL

HARRISBURG - After fighting a battle against Linn County that emptied
his bank account, hurt his business and distressed his family,
marijuana activist Bill Conde said he's ready to have some fun this
weekend.

The fourth annual World Hemp Festival, which Conde said drew 20,000
people to his rural property north of Coburg last year, starts today.

About 225 vendors from across the country and Canada have signed up to
serve hemp-based foods and sell hemp crafts and other products. And at
least 14 bands will keep toes tapping to rock 'n' roll, funk and
hip-hop tunes.

"It's going to be a ball," Conde said.

After a similar event last September, Linn County officials served
Conde with $60,000 in citations charging 68 violations of county land
use, building and health codes.

Conde charged that the county, unhappy with his pro-marijuana stance,
was singling him out for political reasons. He said he had records of
applications and other documents showing that he'd met the spirit, if
not the outright letter of the law, for the many festivals and
concerts he's hosted over the years.

Early this summer, he and his lawyer sat down with Linn County
commissioners and hammered out an agreement guaranteed that the 1999
Hemp Festival could go forward.

Conde said the county dropped all but two of the 68 civil citations.
In return, he agreed to make minor electrical and plumbing
improvements, and to allow county officials to inspect the systems
during this weekend's event.

"We're doing a first-class job," he said. "We're going to be under a
microscope, not just by the county, but by the public. We want to shine."

It hasn't been easy, though. Conde said county inspectors have kept
him hopping all week with last-minute orders that conflict with
earlier requirements. "They're throwing so much stuff at us," he said.
"People are reaching their stress bubbling points."

Some of the tension involves a disagreement between Conde and Linn
County Sheriff Dave Burright, who wants Conde to allow uniformed
deputies to make periodic "spot checks" during the festival.

Burright said Conde, by signing the agreement with the county
commissioners, gave his OK to have deputies present. The document
lists names of county building, health and planning officials whom
Conde must allow in for inspections, with a standard clause saying the
list "includes but is not limited to" the people named.

"They're arguing that the county sheriff is not a county official,"
Burright said.

Conde said his understanding was that the agreement was between him
and one group of elected officials - the commissioners - and was
outside the scope of the sheriff's office.

The matter is being weighed by a Linn County judge. Whatever the
decision, Conde said he won't confront the sheriff or his deputies if
they the come onto his land. But he wants Burright to know that he's
not welcome, nonetheless. "I don't want him here," he said flatly.

Burright said his deputies simply want to ensure that Conde is acting
in compliance with the county's agreement. Among other things,
Burright said, the pact stipulates that there can be no use of illegal
drugs, including marijuana.

Conde said he's hiring a first-rate security force and anyone caught
selling drugs will be told to leave. He called it a "one strike and
you're out" policy.

"They have to understand, I'm a political activist," he said. "I've
got my whole life on the line here. They're not welcome here if
they're going to jeopardize my children's future and 30 years of hard
work."

Still, Conde differentiates between selling marijuana and using it,
noting that possessing less than an ounce isn't a crime in Oregon.
Instead, it's a violation, similar in seriousness to a traffic ticket.

Conde has long lobbied for the legalization of marijuana and was cagey
about whether he'd try to stop people from lighting up.

"I think adults have the right to make a decision as to what they
choose," he said. He indicated that people using marijuana will be
asked to not use it but won't be tossed out if they do.

He's taking a harder line with alcohol. In an effort to see that
people don't bring liquor into the fair, he said, he's setting up a
licensed beer garden serving organic beer. Identification will be
checked and people will be allowed to buy only one drink at a time, he
said.

Conde said he expects undercover detectives will be on the site this
weekend, or will try to be. Burright wouldn't confirm or deny it.

"We're taking measures to try to stop it from happening," Conde said,
declining to say more except "Come to the main gate and see."

Undercover deputies at last September's "Cannabis Carnival" on Conde's
land used what they saw to get a search warrant to raid his property
after the event. Their affidavit described rampant drug use and brazen
drug sales, even by security guards.

Investigators seized computers and business records that Conde said
impaired his ability to run his redwood lumber company, causing a
$250,000 drop in sales. Additionally, deputies charged Conde with
possessing more than an ounce of marijuana, a case still pending in
court.

Conde said the deal he made with county commissioners agrees to "give
them certain comforts," which includes hiring a professional security
force.

Although he said his security guards were licensed last year, this
year he's contracting with the well-known Crowd Management Services.
The company works University of Oregon football games, concerts and
other high-profile events.

Conde said he finalized the contract with CMS on Thursday morning.
Later Thursday, Burright said he was still waiting to see a sworn
statement from CMS or Conde pledging that there would be at least one
security guard for every 175 guests, another stipulation of the
Conde's pact with the county.

"This event is billed to start at noon on Friday," Burright said. "I'm
just surprised these issues weren't ironed out weeks ago."

Still, he said he's hoping for the best. "My philosophy is that the
board is allowing him to hold this event as long as he meets certain
conditions," he said. "He's signed his name saying he will abide by
those and it would be in everyone's best interests if he would. And if
he does comply, then I wish him a nice event."

WORLD HEMP EXPO

Where: 23005 N. Coburg Road. Property lies between
North
Coburg and Interstate 5.

When: Today through Sunday starting at noon. Music
until midnight.

What: More than 200 vendors selling hemp foods and
products;
with 14 to 16 bands.

Cost: $10 a day or $20 for a three-day pass,
including overnight
camping.