MAN WHO THROWS ANNUAL `CANNABIS CARNIVAL' ARRESTED

HARRISBURG, Ore. (AP) -- A marijuana activist who put on a "cannabis
carnival" earlier this month has been arrested on a charge of
possessing the drug.

William B. Conde, 55, was arrested at his home in Harrisburg, about 10
miles north of Eugene. Linn County sheriff's detectives executed a
search warrant at the residence, which is also the headquarters for
Conde's lumber company, Redwood Lumber, and High Five Music.

Detectives seized computers and documents related to the annual
"Cannabis Carnival Unity Fair" and outdoor music festival, which drew
hundreds of people to Conde's property Sept. 4-6.

Conde was arrested on a possession charge after investigators found
more than an ounce of marijuana. He was booked at the Linn County Jail.

Conde's lawyer, Brian Michaels, said the search was illegal and
politically motivated.

"Linn County has taken a political exception to Mr. Conde's views,"
Michaels said at the gate to Conde's property while the search was
under way. "This is political intimidation at its worst."

Sheriff Dave Burright said Conde blatantly broke the law during the
festival.

"We have eyewitness accounts of multiple, multiple illegal drug
transactions and drug use, just a total disregard for the law," said
Burright, who also alleged that drugs were being used in front of
children and, in some cases, by children.

"This is something I will not tolerate in this county," Burright
said.

Another man who lives at Conde's home, James Steven Dowd, 30, was
arrested on an outstanding drug possession warrant from Washington
state.

Conde was last arrested in 1976 during a raid at his home in Cottage
Grove, where he also ran his business. He was convicted on two drug
charges two years later and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Conde argued in court then that he was Christian, and that God
provided marijuana to be used with other herbs. After serving a
portion of his jail term, shaken by the impact the case had on his
life and business, he told a judge he wouldn't use marijuana anymore
and no longer viewed the drug as part of his religion.

Conde already had been scheduled to appear in court later this month
on 35 violations from the July 1997 carnival.

Michaels charged that authorities are trying to pressure Conde into
abandoning his First Amendment rights to campaign for marijuana
legalization, and are trying to bully supporters into staying away
from his gatherings.

Burright said more arrests are expected.

"There's a lot of people who ought to watching over their shoulders,"
he said.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry