WOMAN CONVICTED OF GROWING MARIJUANA WANTS MEDICAL DISPENSATION

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A Grants Pass woman who was convicted of growing
marijuana is asking to have her probation rules changed so she can use it
to relieve nausea caused by treatment for arthritis.

A Jackson County judge is considering the request by Pamela Jill Stafsholt.

Last March, a probation officer alleged that Stafsholt, 41, flunked a urine
test for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in violation of her
probation from December convictions for growing marijuana and child neglect.

Her Dec. 3 convictions came the same day that the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Act went into effect, allowing certain people to legally use pot to relieve
symptoms of illnesses.

Defense lawyer Roger Lee Clark said Stafsholt was prescribed a drug
containing THC to relieve nausea from chemotherapy she is getting for
rheumatoid arthritis, but the drug did not work for her.

Deputy District Attorney Allan Smith said the medical use is just a
smokescreen, because the 150 grams of marijuana and 28 plants she had when
arrested represents much more than anyone would need for personal use.