`
`Ross Day, OSB #002395
`Day Law, P.C.
`14945 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 150
`Portland, Oregon 97224
`Mailing Address: P.O. Box 30148
`Portland, Oregon 97294
`ross@daylawpc.com
`T:(503) 747-2705
`F:(503) 914-1892
`Attorney for Plaintiffs
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`
`DISTRICT OF OREGON
`
`MEDFORD DIVISION
`
`
`OREGONIZED HEMP CO LLC, an Oregon
`domestic limited liability company, and
`JUSTIN PITTS, an individual,
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`
`
`vs.
`
`
`JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON, a political
`subdivision of the state of Oregon,
`JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON, a political
`subdivision of the state of Oregon, JOHN
`DOES 1 THROUGH 20, in their individual and
`official capacity;
`
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`
`
`Case No.:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`(Violation of Civil Rights, 42 U.S.C.
`§1983; Violations of the Oregon
`Constitution; Trespass to Chattels;
`Conversion; Abuse of Process)
`
`AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY:
`$2,500,000.00
`
`DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs Oregonized Hemp Co LLC and Justin Pitts allege as follows:
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`1.
`
`
`
`Plaintiff Oregonized Hemp Co, LLC is an Oregon domestic limited liability company
`
`whose principal place of business is located in Josephine County, Oregon.
`
`1 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 2 of 22
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2.
`
`Plaintiffs Justin is a resident of Josephine County, state of Oregon.
`
`3.
`
`Defendant Josephine County (herein “Josephine County”) is a political subdivision of
`
`the state of Oregon.
`
`4.
`
`
`
`Defendant Jackson County (herein “Jackson County”) is a political subdivision of the
`
`state of Oregon.
`
`5.
`
`
`
`Defendants John Does 1 through 10, whose identities are unknown at this time, are
`
`individuals working for the Josephine County sheriff’s department, or in concert with and
`
`under the direction of Josephine County sheriff’s department. John Does 1 through 10 are
`
`named in their individual and official capacities.
`
`6.
`
`Defendants John Does 11 through 20, whose identities are unknown at this time, are
`
`individuals working for the Jackson County sheriff’s department, or in concert with and
`
`under the direction of Jackson County sheriff’s department. John Does 1 through 10 are
`
`named in their individual and official capacities.
`
`7.
`
`
`
`The identities of Defendant John Does 1 through 20 are not known at the time of the
`
`filing of this complaint. Plaintiffs reserve the right to amend this complaint when the
`
`identities of Defendant John Does 1 through 20 become known to the Plaintiffs.
`
`2 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 3 of 22
`
`
`
`
`
`Unless otherwise specifically delineated, all defendants shall be referred to herein as
`
`8.
`
`“Defendants”.
`
`VENUE AND JURISDICTION
`
`9.
`
`
`
`This case presents claims against the Defendants pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983, in
`
`addition to state law claims. Accordingly, this Court has jurisdiction over this case pursuant
`
`to 28 U.S.C. §1331 (federal question jurisdiction) and 28 U.S.C. §1367 (supplemental claim
`
`jurisdiction).
`
`10.
`
`
`
`The acts giving rise to the claims presented in this complaint occurred in Josephine
`
`County, Oregon. Accordingly, venue is appropriate in this Court.
`
`GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
`
`11.
`
`
`
`Plaintiff Oregonized Hemp Co, LLC (herein “OHC”) is a single member limited
`
`liability company organized under the laws of the state of Oregon. OHC is a member-
`
`managed limited liability company. Plaintiff Justin Pitts (herein “Pitts”) is the sole member
`
`of OHC.
`
`12.
`
`
`
`OHC grows, cultivates, harvests and processes industrial hemp. OHC contracts with
`
`various landowners in the southern Oregon area to grow industrial hemp in sufficient
`
`quantities to meet OHC’s production needs.
`
`3 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 4 of 22
`
`
`
`
`
`Prior to October of 2019, OHC stored its ready-to-be-processed industrial hemp in a
`
`13.
`
`building owned by Pitts, located in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon. This building is also
`
`where OHC processes its industrial hemp into herbal teas, lotions, and other consumable
`
`items.
`
`14.
`
`
`
`In Oregon, in order to be able to handle, grow or process industrial hemp, a person
`
`and/or company must have valid registrations with the state of Oregon, by and through the
`
`state of Oregon’s Department of Agriculture. At all relevant times OHC and Pitts had all the
`
`necessary licenses and/or registrations from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
`
`15.
`
`
`
`In approximately the middle of October 2019, the fire marshal for the city of Grants
`
`Pass, Oregon told Pitts that OHC/Pitts could not store “fibrous material” in his building in
`
`Grants Pass, and that OHC/Pitts would have to move OHC/Pitts’ industrial hemp to a
`
`different off-site location. OHC/Pitts was given thirty (30) days to move the industrial hemp.
`
`16.
`
`
`
`In approximately the beginning of November, 2019, OHC/Pitts moved the industrial
`
`hemp to a greenhouse located at 1100 Panther Gulch Road, Williams, county of Josephine,
`
`Oregon (herein “Panther Greenhouse”). The total amount of industrial hemp initially moved
`
`by OHC/Pitts to the Panther Greenhouse was approximately 6,724 pounds of plant material.
`
`At all relevant times, to the best of OHC/Pitts’ knowledge, the only industrial hemp stored in
`
`the Panther Greenhouse was industrial hemp that belonged to OHC/Pitts.
`
`4 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 5 of 22
`
`
`
`
`
`OHC and/or Pitts do not have an ownership interest in the private real property
`
`17.
`
`located at 1100 Panther Gulch Road, Williams, county of Josephine, Oregon. OHC and/or
`
`Pitts relationship with the private real property located at 1100 Panther Gulch Road,
`
`Williams, county of Josephine, Oregon is that of a lessee of the Panther Greenhouse.
`
`18.
`
`
`
`Industrial hemp is a strain of the plant Cannabis sativa. Industrial hemp is a plant
`
`that is put to many uses. Both the state of Oregon and the federal government define
`
`industrial hemp as all seeds, parts and varieties of the Cannabis plant, whether growing or
`
`not, that contain an average tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed 0.3
`
`percent on a dry weight basis. See ORS 571.269(5)(a); 7 U.S.C §1639o(1).
`
`19.
`
`
`
`According to Oregon state law and federal law, seeds, parts and varieties of the
`
`Cannabis plant that exceed 0.3 percent on average of tetrahydrocannabinol concentration is
`
`considered “Marijuana”. See 21 U.S.C §802(16); ORS 475B.015(17). Marijuana, as
`
`opposed to industrial hemp, is illegal to produce, possess, sell etc. under federal law. It is
`
`legal to produce, possess, sell etc. marijuana under the laws of the state of Oregon, but such
`
`activity is highly regulated.
`
`20.
`
`
`
`Under both Oregon law and federal law, industrial hemp and “Marijuana” are two
`
`separate, legally distinct choses.
`
`
`
`5 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 6 of 22
`
`21.
`
`
`
`Businesses such as OHC that grow, cultivate, harvest, process and sell industrial
`
`hemp do so knowing that all of their plant material (i.e. industrial hemp) must maintain a
`
`tetrahydrocannabinol concentration below 0.3 percent, otherwise said businesses (like OHC)
`
`could be in violation of state and federal law. Accordingly, OHC regularly tests its industrial
`
`hemp to insure its plant material is below the level of tetrahydrocannabinol concentration
`
`required by state and federal law.
`
`22.
`
`
`
`At all relevant times, all of the plant material stored in the Panther Greenhouse by
`
`OHC had a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration at or below 0.3 percent. Therefore, all of the
`
`plant material stored in the Panther Greenhouse by OHC was legally “Industrial Hemp” and
`
`not “marijuana”.
`
`23.
`
`
`
`At all relevant times the industrial hemp stored in the Panther Greenhouse was the
`
`sole property of OHC and Pitts, and no other third party had any claim of right to the
`
`industrial hemp. At all relevant times, only OHC and/or Pitts had the right to possession of
`
`the industrial hemp.
`
`24.
`
`
`
`From approximately November of 2019 through April 22nd, 2020, OHC and Pitts
`
`would store additional industrial hemp at the Panther Greenhouse. On April 22nd, 2020,
`
`OHC and Pitts had not less than five thousand (5,000) pounds of industrial hemp stored in
`
`the Panther Greenhouse.
`
`
`
`6 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 7 of 22
`
`
`
`
`
`On April 22nd, 2020, Defendants John Does 1 through 20, acting under color of law
`
`25.
`
`under the authority of Defendants Josephine County and Jackson County, executed a search
`
`warrant (herein “Warrant”) for the private real property located at 1100 Panther Gulch Road,
`
`Williams, county of Josephine, Oregon (herein “Property”).
`
`26.
`
`
`
`The Warrant is facially invalid and does not comply with the requirements of Oregon
`
`law.
`
`27.
`
`
`
`The Warrant authorized, in relevant part, the seizure of the following:
`
`1. Processed Marijuana
`
`2. Marijuana plants
`
`3. Marijuana concentrate oils
`
`….
`
`15. Any items related to the illegal possession, manufacture or delivery of
`
`Marijuana
`
`(caps in original).
`
`28.
`
`The Warrant did not authorize the seizure of industrial hemp.
`
`29.
`
`Defendants seized OHC/Pitts’ industrial hemp that was stored in the Panther
`
`
`
`
`
`Greenhouse.
`
`7 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 8 of 22
`
`30.
`
`
`
`While Defendants were executing the Warrant, Defendants were advised by persons
`
`who were on the Property that the material in the Panther Greenhouse was industrial hemp,
`
`not Marijuana, and therefore under the terms of the Warrant the Defendants did not have the
`
`lawful authority to seize the industrial hemp. The Defendants explicitly rejected these
`
`warnings and proceeded to seize OHC/Pitts’ property.
`
`31.
`
`
`
`On or about April 23rd, 2020, Defendants filed a document entitled “Supplemental
`
`Order to Search Warrant” (herein “Supplemental Order”) with the Josephine County Circuit
`
`Court for the state of Oregon, seeking permission to destroy the personal property seized at
`
`the Property during the execution of the Warrant, including OHC/Pitts’ industrial hemp. The
`
`Supplemental Order contains knowingly false statements by the Defendants. Defendants
`
`made the false statements in the Supplemental Order in order to cover up the fact that
`
`Defendants had unlawfully taken OHC/Pitts’ property.
`
`32.
`
`
`
`On information and belief, the Defendants have destroyed OHC/Pitts’ industrial
`
`hemp.
`
`
`
`
`
`33.
`
`At all relevant times, all Defendants have been acting under color of law.
`
`34.
`
`OHC/Pitts’s industrial hemp has a value of not less than $2,000,000.00, or an amount
`
`to be proven at trial.
`
`
`
`8 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 9 of 22
`
`FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Violations of the Civil Rights Act – 42 U.S.C. §1983)
`
`COUNT I
`U.S. Const. Fourth Amendment
`Unlawful Seizure
`
`35.
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`36.
`
`
`
`The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a warrant to search a person or seize any
`
`thing be supported by probable cause. The Warrant executed by the Defendants was not
`
`supported by probable cause and was therefore obtained in violation of Plaintiffs’ rights
`
`protected by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
`
`37.
`
`
`
`The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any thing to be seized to be particularly
`
`described in a search warrant.
`
`38.
`
`
`
`The Warrant authorized the seizure of Marijuana, not industrial hemp. Defendants
`
`knowingly, intentionally and/or negligently took Plaintiffs’ industrial hemp, in violation of
`
`Plaintiffs’ rights protected by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
`
`39.
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`9 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 10 of 22
`
`40.
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT II
`Oregon Const. Article I Section 9
`Unlawful Seizure
`
`41.
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`42.
`
`Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a warrant to search a person or seize any
`
`thing be supported by probable cause. The Warrant executed by the Defendants was not
`
`supported by probable cause and was therefore obtained in violation of Plaintiffs’ rights
`
`protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution.
`
`43.
`
`
`
`Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any thing to be seized to be particularly
`
`described.
`
`44.
`
`
`
`The Warrant authorized the seizure of Marijuana, not industrial hemp. Defendants
`
`knowingly, intentionally and/or negligently took Plaintiffs’ industrial hemp, in violation of
`
`Plaintiffs’ rights protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution.
`
`
`
`10 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 11 of 22
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`45.
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`46.
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT III
`U.S. Const. Fifth Amendment
`Unlawful Taking
`
`47.
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`48.
`
`
`
`The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the citizens from the
`
`taking of property without just compensation
`
`49.
`
`
`
`Defendants’ conduct, taking Plaintiffs’ property, constituted a taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`property under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
`
`50.
`
`Defendants did not take Plaintiffs’ property for public use.
`
`51.
`
`Defendants have not paid Plaintiffs any compensation for the taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`
`
`
`
`property.
`
`
`
`11 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 12 of 22
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`52.
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`53.
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT IV
`Oregon Const. Article I Section 18
`Unlawful Taking
`
`54.
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`55.
`
`
`
`Article I, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from the taking
`
`of property without just compensation
`
`56.
`
`
`
`Defendants’ conduct, taking Plaintiffs’ property, constituted a taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`property under Article I, Section 18 of the Constitution.
`
`57.
`
`Defendants did not take Plaintiffs’ property for public use.
`
`
`
`
`
`58.
`
`Defendants have not paid Plaintiffs any compensation for the taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`property.
`
`12 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 13 of 22
`
`
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`59.
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`60.
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT V
`U.S. Const. Fourteenth Amendment
`Equal Protection of the Laws
`
`61.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, 36 through 38, 42 through 44, 48 through 51 and 55 through 58 as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`62.
`
`
`
`Other similarly situated businesses and individuals which engage in the growing,
`
`cultivation, processing and sale of industrial hemp and industrial hemp products have not
`
`been singled out by the Defendants for violation of their constitutional rights, as described
`
`above.
`
`63.
`
`
`
`Defendants, and in particular Josephine County, hold particular animosity towards
`
`Plaintiffs, and over the years have engaged in a pattern and practice of unequal treatment
`
`intended to harass and intimidate Plaintiffs, and in particular Pitts. Defendants’ conduct
`
`described herein is part of a pattern and practice of Defendants to deny Plaintiffs equal
`
`13 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 14 of 22
`
`protection of the laws as required by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States
`
`Constitution.
`
`64.
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`65.
`
`
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT VI
`U.S. Const. Fourteenth Amendment
`Substantive Due Process
`
`66.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, 36 through 38, 42 through 44, 48 through 51 and 55 through 58 as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`67.
`
`The actions of the Defendants described above violated the Plaintiffs’ rights to
`
`substantive due process guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States
`
`Constitution.
`
`68.
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`
`
`
`
`14 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 15 of 22
`
`69.
`
`
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`COUNT VII
`U.S. Const. Fourteenth Amendment
`Procedural Due Process
`
`70.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, 36 through 38, 42 through 44, 48 through 51 and 55 through 58 as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`71.
`
`
`
`The actions taken by the Defendants were taken with the intent to deprive the
`
`Plaintiffs of their basic civil rights guaranteed by the United States and Oregon Constitutions.
`
`72.
`
`
`
`The Defendants never provided the Plaintiffs with any process whatsoever before the
`
`Defendants undertook its scheme to harm the Plaintiffs. The Defendants never provided
`
`Plaintiffs with any notice, any opportunity to defend themselves against the Defendants’
`
`actions, an impartial decision-maker, or any post-deprivation procedures whatsoever.
`
`73.
`
`
`
`The Defendants’ actions described throughout this Complaint violated the Plaintiffs’
`
`most basic rights to procedural due process in violation of the United States Constitution.
`
`74.
`
`
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, the Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount
`
`of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`15 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 16 of 22
`
`75.
`
`
`
`Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988, the Matthews are entitled to an award of their costs,
`
`disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Violation of Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution)
`
`76.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, as if fully set forth herein.
`
`77.
`
`Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a warrant to search a person or seize any
`
`thing be supported by probable cause. The Warrant executed by the Defendants was not
`
`supported by probable cause and was therefore obtained in violation of Plaintiffs’ rights
`
`protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution.
`
`78.
`
`
`
`Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from
`
`unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any thing to be seized to be particularly
`
`described.
`
`79.
`
`
`
`The Warrant authorized the seizure of Marijuana, not industrial hemp. Defendants
`
`knowingly, intentionally and/or negligently took Plaintiffs’ industrial hemp, in violation of
`
`Plaintiffs’ rights protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution.
`
`
`
`
`
`16 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 17 of 22
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`80.
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`81.
`
`Pursuant to Deras v. Myers, 272 Or. 47 (1975), Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of
`
`their costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Violation of Article I, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution)
`
`82.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, as if fully set forth herein.
`
`83.
`
`
`
`Article I, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution protects the citizens from the taking
`
`of property without just compensation
`
`84.
`
`
`
`Defendants’ conduct, taking Plaintiffs’ property, constituted a taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`property under Article I, Section 18 of the Constitution.
`
`85.
`
`
`
`Defendants did not take Plaintiffs’ property for public use.
`
`86.
`
`Defendants have not paid Plaintiffs any compensation for the taking of Plaintiffs’
`
`property.
`
`
`
`
`
`17 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 18 of 22
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount of
`
`87.
`
`$2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`88.
`
`Pursuant to Deras v. Myers, 272 Or. 47 (1975), Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of
`
`their costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees.
`
`FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Trespass to Chattels)
`
`89.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`90.
`
`
`
`The Defendants’ conduct was intentional and for the purpose of disturbing,
`
`interfering with, and/or destroying Plaintiffs’ possession of the industrial hemp.
`
`91.
`
`
`
`Defendants’ destruction of Plaintiffs’ industrial hemp damaged Plaintiffs’ chattel to
`
`the point where Plaintiffs possession of the industrial hemp has completely vanished.
`
`92.
`
`
`
`The conduct described herein was performed by all individual defendants within the
`
`course and scope of their employment.
`
`93.
`
`
`
`This complaint serves as formal notice of Plaintiffs’ claims as required by ORS
`
`30.275.
`
`
`
`18 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 19 of 22
`
`94.
`
`
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, the Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount
`
`of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Conversion)
`
`95.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, 92 and 93 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`96.
`
`
`
`The Defendants’ conduct, described above, was intentional and for the purpose of
`
`exercising dominion and control over Plaintiffs’ property.
`
`97.
`
`
`
`Defendants’ conduct did, permanently, interfere with Plaintiffs’ dominion and control
`
`over Plaintiffs’ property – i.e. Plaintiffs’ industrial hemp.
`
`98.
`
`
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, the Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount
`
`of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`(Abuse of Process)
`
`99.
`
`Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through
`
`34, 92 and 93 as if fully set forth herein.
`
`
`
`
`
`19 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 20 of 22
`
`100.
`
`
`
`The Defendants’ actions, were taken for one or more of the following improper
`
`and/or ulterior purposes:
`
`1. To stop the sale of industrial hemp products containing cannabinoids/cannabinols
`
`even though Plaintiffs (and others) have a lawful right to do so;
`
`2. To harass and/or intimidate the Plaintiffs from growing, cultivating, harvesting,
`
`processing and selling industrial hemp and industrial hemp products, even though
`
`Plaintiffs have a lawful right to do so;
`
`101.
`
`Defendants’ actions were willful, and for the purposes described herein.
`
`102.
`
`Defendants actually seized and destroyed the Plaintiffs’ property.
`
`103.
`
`As a direct result of the Defendants’ actions, the Plaintiffs were harmed in the amount
`
`
`
`
`
`of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial.
`
`
`
`WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully pray this Court for the following relief
`
`1. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count I, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`2. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count II, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`3. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count III, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`20 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 21 of 22
`
`4. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count IV, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`5. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count V, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`6. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count VI, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`7. On Plaintiffs’ First Claim For Relief, Count VII, for a judgment against the
`
`Defendants in the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`8. On Plaintiffs’ Second Claim For Relief, for a judgment against the Defendants in
`
`the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`9. On Plaintiffs’ Third Claim For Relief, for a judgment against the Defendants in
`
`the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`10. On Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim For Relief, for a judgment against the Defendants in
`
`the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`11. On Plaintiffs’ Fifth Claim For Relief, for a judgment against the Defendants in the
`
`amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`12. On Plaintiffs’ Sixth Claim For Relief, for a judgment against the Defendants in
`
`the amount of $2,500,000.00, or an amount to be proven at trial;
`
`13. Plaintiffs costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
`
`§1988.
`
`14. Plaintiffs costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees pursuant to Deras v.
`
`Myers, 272 Or. 47 (1975)
`
`
`
`21 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00720-CL Document 1 Filed 05/01/20 Page 22 of 22
`
`15. Any other relief the Court deems just and equitable.
`
`RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 1st day of May 2020
`
`DAY LAW, PC
`Attorneys for Plaintiffs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/s/ Ross Day
`
`Ross A. Day, OSB #002395
`14945 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 150A
`Portland, Oregon 97224
`Mailing address: P.O. Box 30148
`Portland, Oregon 97294
`T: 503-747-2705
`E: ross@daylawpc.com
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`22 of 22
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`