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HILLSBORO -- Alicia Williamson can't return to her computer job with
Washington County.
But the county's five-member Civil Service Commission ruled Friday that
Williamson, a medical-marijuana user, should be rehired if she is cleared of
felony drug charges later this year.
"Ms. Williamson showed poor judgment and was lackadaisical about something
important," said Diane Marra Williams, one of two commissioners who voted
against the firing. She added that Williamson, who was a management analyst
for the county's information technology services, should have applied for
Oregon's medical marijuana program when it started in 2001.
A grand jury indicted Williamson, 47, in December of felony drug charges for
using, growing and distributing marijuana after police found 13 marijuana
plants, shake and seeds in her Gaston home last summer. A criminal trial is
set for December.
County officials said Williamson was fired in February for being a discredit
to the county by committing illegal acts and lying about whether she shared
the marijuana.
Williamson, who was hired in 1998, was the first to tell her boss when she
heard police searched her home after spotting her plants in a flyover. The
fact that county officials knew about the search in August but didn't put
Williamson on paid leave until December troubled commissioners.
"If it's not a discredit for four months, then it's not a 'discredit' enough
for her to lose her position," Williams said.
Commissioners scolded the county for lacking efficiency and suggested that
drug tests be required for all new employees. Currently, 20 percent of
county employees -- criminal justice workers and those who need commercial
driver's licenses -- are tested or given background checks.
"About 90 percent of businesses, public and private, use drug tests," said
Commissioner Gary Krahmer, who voted for Williamson's termination. "The
county is remiss not to."
Injured while riding horses competitively, Williamson has used marijuana
since she was 19 to ease migraines and muscle spasms. She has a doctor's
prescription and qualified for the California medical marijuana program in
1995.
Williamson said she genetically modifies her marijuana, striving for plants
that provide more muscle relaxation than space-out high. She shared the drug
with chemotherapy patients and her boyfriend, Williamson said, but never
sold or traded it.
After the police search, Williamson enrolled in the $150 Oregon Medical
Marijuana program. The program allows members to own three mature marijuana
plants, four immature plants and an ounce of usable marijuana from each
mature plant.
"I wish now that I had filled out that paperwork sooner," said Williamson,
adding that she would still enjoy working for the county. "I don't have any
malice toward anyone. But I do feel that the cops have worked really hard to
make me look like a big criminal."
Pubdate: Mon, 15 Sep 2003
Author: Laura Gunderson
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Contact letters@news.oregonian.com
Website: OregonLive.com
Address: 1320 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
Fax: 503-294-4193
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
Washington County.
But the county's five-member Civil Service Commission ruled Friday that
Williamson, a medical-marijuana user, should be rehired if she is cleared of
felony drug charges later this year.
"Ms. Williamson showed poor judgment and was lackadaisical about something
important," said Diane Marra Williams, one of two commissioners who voted
against the firing. She added that Williamson, who was a management analyst
for the county's information technology services, should have applied for
Oregon's medical marijuana program when it started in 2001.
A grand jury indicted Williamson, 47, in December of felony drug charges for
using, growing and distributing marijuana after police found 13 marijuana
plants, shake and seeds in her Gaston home last summer. A criminal trial is
set for December.
County officials said Williamson was fired in February for being a discredit
to the county by committing illegal acts and lying about whether she shared
the marijuana.
Williamson, who was hired in 1998, was the first to tell her boss when she
heard police searched her home after spotting her plants in a flyover. The
fact that county officials knew about the search in August but didn't put
Williamson on paid leave until December troubled commissioners.
"If it's not a discredit for four months, then it's not a 'discredit' enough
for her to lose her position," Williams said.
Commissioners scolded the county for lacking efficiency and suggested that
drug tests be required for all new employees. Currently, 20 percent of
county employees -- criminal justice workers and those who need commercial
driver's licenses -- are tested or given background checks.
"About 90 percent of businesses, public and private, use drug tests," said
Commissioner Gary Krahmer, who voted for Williamson's termination. "The
county is remiss not to."
Injured while riding horses competitively, Williamson has used marijuana
since she was 19 to ease migraines and muscle spasms. She has a doctor's
prescription and qualified for the California medical marijuana program in
1995.
Williamson said she genetically modifies her marijuana, striving for plants
that provide more muscle relaxation than space-out high. She shared the drug
with chemotherapy patients and her boyfriend, Williamson said, but never
sold or traded it.
After the police search, Williamson enrolled in the $150 Oregon Medical
Marijuana program. The program allows members to own three mature marijuana
plants, four immature plants and an ounce of usable marijuana from each
mature plant.
"I wish now that I had filled out that paperwork sooner," said Williamson,
adding that she would still enjoy working for the county. "I don't have any
malice toward anyone. But I do feel that the cops have worked really hard to
make me look like a big criminal."
Pubdate: Mon, 15 Sep 2003
Author: Laura Gunderson
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Contact letters@news.oregonian.com
Website: OregonLive.com
Address: 1320 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
Fax: 503-294-4193
Copyright: 2003 The Oregonian
