Chris Conrad

Christopher P. M. Conrad, cannabis expert

Qualified expert legal witness (Superior Courts of California)

Curriculum vitae.

Born: March 10, 1953

PO Box 1716, El Cerrito CA 94530.
Phone / fax: 510-215-8326.
E-mail: chris@chrisconrad.com.
Website: www.chrisconrad.com

California: Marijuana Laws and Links

CA: Medical Marijuana:
Health and Safety § 11262.5 / Prop 215

CA: Diversion for cultivation: Williamson Hearing

CA: Right to defense expert at public expense Evidence Code § 730

Other expert services

Summary and highlights of experience:

Chris Conrad has studied cannabis (marijuana) since 1988. He has written two books on the topic and contributed to others. Familiar with at least 100 peer-reviewed scientific studies and numerous books. Familiar with reports of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Prepared a report on cannabis patient buyers clubs for California legislators. Has consulted with numerous government agencies. Testified at National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine hearings in 1997.

Court-qualified as a cannabis expert in at least 25 California counties, including Alameda, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Napa, Orange, Placer, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolomne and Ventura. Qualified in one federal district. Filed declarations and consulted on cases in numerous other counties States, and in Canada.

Has qualified as an expert in cannabis cultivation, sex, genetics, cloning, crop yields, preparation, smell, medical use, personal use, consumption, sales, and commercial indicia.

Has hands-on legal participation in the breeding, cultivation, and processing of cannabis in Holland and Switzerland. Analyzed personal cannabis gardens in Spain and commercial hemp farms in Germany. Has observed indoor, outdoor and greenhouse grows and harvests. Has since 1991 traveled to Europe to observe cannabis operations on average one time per year.

Investigated at least 100 criminal cases, testified at least 40 times. Reviewed scores of police reports and narratives, search warrants, case documents, photos, court transcripts, evidence reports, videos, diagrams, crime scenes, etc. Heard police officers testify at least 20 times. Interviewed numerous defendants and witnesses. Weighed, measured, calculated and examined forensic material including microscopic evaluation.

Lectured or taught classes on cannabis and/or medical cannabis at numerous institutions including UC Berkeley, Learning Annex, Five Branches Institute, Omega Institute, Mills College, USC, etc. Designed and curated the Hash-Marijuana-Hemp museum of Amsterdam, which features information on cultivation, "hash" making, and an operating indoor cannabis garden.

Earned his Bachelor's degree magna cum laude from the California State University. Attends several academic symposia per year on cannabis. Has taken trainings accredited by the California Medical Association, American University, Frankfurt (Germany) University and other institutions of higher learning. Communicated with numerous physicians including some of the world's foremost authorities on cannabis. Personally acquainted with four persons who receive cannabis from the federal Investigational New Drug (IND) program.

---

Detailed court qualifications, field research, scientific analysis, literature reviews

2001: Testified as qualified cannabis expert in the California Superior courts of Alameda, Del Norte, Orange, San Jaoquin, Sonoma and Ventura counties on issues of cultivation, medical use, consumption, preparation, and indicia of personal versus commercial intent. Heard court testimony by police officers and other experts. Reviewed numerous court transcripts, search warrants, police reports, evidence lists and case files, familiarizing myself with police investigative tech-niques. Examined medical records, forensic evidence visually and under microscope, analyzed photos and videos, interviewed defendants, and investigated garden sites. Testified as qualified cannabis expert in federal court in the district based in Sacramento, California, on issues of cannabis cultivation, consumption, and yields. Gave presentation on estimating yields and consumption to the Berkeley, California, Health and Safety Commission.

2000: Testified as qualified cannabis expert in the California Superior courts of Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Placer, Plumas, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Stanislaus Counties on issues of indoor and outdoor cultivation, crop yields, plant sex, olfactory identification (smell), means and rates of consumption, genetic characteristics, indicia of commercial intent, personal and/or medicinal use of marijuana and cannabis preparations, both smoking and otherwise. Inves-tigated cases and provided expert legal services in numerous other counties. Heard court testimony by police officers and other experts. Received seven hours of California Medical Association-accredited training on medical marijuana. Reviewed numer-ous court transcripts, search warrants, police reports, evidence lists and case files, familiar-izing myself with police investigative tech-niques. Examined forensic evidence and medical records, analyzed photos and videos, interviewed defendants, provided declarations. Conducted ongoing research into all aspects of cannabis cultivation and use. Discussed use patterns with at least 30 medical marijuana patients and numerous doctors. Spent four weeks in Amsterdam, where I observed an indoor marijuana grow and curing for the duration.

1999: Testified as qualified cannabis expert in the California Superior courts of Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Placer, Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano and Sonoma Counties on issues of cultivation, yields, commercial, consumption, personal and/or medicinal use of marijuana. Investigated cases and provided expert legal services in Alameda, Modesto, Napa, Plumas, Sacra-mento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz Counties. Reviewed search warrants and case files, familiarizing myself with police investigative techniques. Examined forensic evidence, analyzed photos and videos, inspected garden sites, interviewed witnesses and defendants, provided declarations and reports. Examined numerous California patients' legal cannabis gardens. Went to the Netherlands to research legal cannabis cultivation, breeding, distribution and consumption. Traveled to Germany to study legal industrial hemp fields and processing facilities, the Hanf (hemp) Museum, and CannaBusiness, an international hemp and cannabis business expo.

1998: Testified as qualified expert in the California Superior courts of Butte, Humboldt and Tuolomne Counties regarding cannabis cultivation, yields, sex, maturity, preparation, quality and usability, commercial versus personal and/or medicinal use, genetic varieties and preparations. Investigated cases and/or filed declarations in Alameda, Marin, Merced, Nevada, Placer, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma Counties. Examined and evaluated numerous California patients' legal cannabis gardens.

1997: Testified as qualified expert in the California Superior court of Marin County regarding crop yields, medical marijuana and personal consumption. Attended CannaBusiness Expo, in Germany. Consulted and participated in a legal cannabis harvest in Switzerland comprising several hectares of outdoor plants grown by subcontractors for CannaBioLand, a legal enterprise. Selected and harvested cannabis based on sex, ripeness and mold infestation. Advised and assisted in cutting, curing, manicuring, and preparing herb for consumption. Investigated legal cannabis distribution systems there.

1993-1997: Authored Hemp for Health. Researched medical literature, visited and surveyed patient buyers clubs and patient gardens. Observed and interviewed patients, doctors, caregivers and cannabis culture in the US, Canada and Europe.

1994: Qualified as expert witness in the California Superior court of Madera County on industrial hemp and hempseed. Studied and consulted on Hemp Agrotech's research crop of industrial hemp grown in the Imperial Valley (California) in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture research station. Met and had informal consultations with owners of Hempline, the first Canadian group to grow a research crop of industrial hemp in North America. Toured hemp stores and museums throughout the US and Canada.

1992-1993: Authored Hemp: Lifeline to the Future. Designed exhibits and curated the Hash&endash;Marihuana&endash;Hemp Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands); collected items, prepared and labeled informational displays and explanatory materials, produced handouts for visitors, maintained a library about cannabis, supervised a legal indoor cannabis "grow room" exhibit featuring hydroponic systems, soil, plants from seed and clones, sexing to maturity, harvest, cure and manicure. Utilized various lighting systems and cycles; evaluated growing techniques and yields, planting densities, and pruning patterns; advised in the design of and adjustments to the system and its operation. Field research included investigation and discussion of social use, customs, commercial sales, consumption patterns, medical case histories, regional cultures, kif and hash making, evaluating quality and use of herbal cannabis. Experimented with hempseed foods and cannabis preparations including tinctures and poultices. Traveled France, Holland and Hungary to research legal commercial hemp farms and processing.

1992: Spent six weeks in The Netherlands working at the legal Dutch cannabis research and breeding facility of Sensi Seed Bank, assisted from starting seedlings and clones to sexing, cross pollination and seed selection for indoor, outdoor and greenhouse varieties, as well as flower development, resin enhancement, curing and manicure. Researched various genetic materials for characteristics. Met with researchers at Wageningen University (Netherlands) research facility on industrial and horticultural aspects of cannabis hemp.

1989-1999: Ongoing cannabis research, reviewing scientific and media reports, interviewing more than one thousand users and growers to gather facts.

Books authored or assisted

2001: Second edition of Human Rights and the US Drug War (Creative Xpressions). Hemp for Health translated into Portuguese as Hemp: O uso medicinal de maconha.

2000: Revised printing of Shattered Lives: Portraits from America's Drug War (Creative Xpressions).

1999: Wrote a chapter for the revised edition of The Very Best of Sinsemilla Tips (New Moon). Co-authored Human Rights and the US Drug War (Creative Xpressions).

1998: Hemp for Health translated into Heilpflanze Haschisch (German, Knaur), Cannabis para la Salud (Spanish, Martinez Roca). Co-authored Shattered Lives: Portraits from America's Drug War (Creative Xpressions).

1996: Authored and researched Hemp for Health (Inner Traditions), reviewing copious scientific data on the medical, physiological and psychological effects of cannabis. It discusses medical marijuana in allopathic medicine, homeopathy, herbalism and Ayurveda; THC and non-psychoactive cannabinoids (medicinal compounds), hempseed nutrition, applications of seed oil and cannabinoids, and the holistic and ecological value of hemp as a restorative resource. Extensive bibliography, footnotes and appendices. Hemp, Lifeline to the Future Australian edition published; Cannabis, 1 mille usi di una pianta miracolosa. (Italian, Carravecchi)

1995: Contributed portions to The Great Book of Hemp, by Rowan Robinson (Inner Traditions).

1994: Contributed a chapter to Hemp Today compilation (Quick American).

1993: Authored Hemp, Lifeline to the Future (Creative Xpressions), a comprehensive review of the industrial, medicinal and social / spiritual applications of the cannabis plant providing in-depth technical data on how to grow and process the plant, with a thoroughly documented review of its history, commerce, technologies, botany, ecology, cultivation and medical applications. Extensive bibliography, footnotes and appendices. Contributed chapter to Le Premier Journee Internationale du Cannabis (French: Lezard).

1990: Designed and edited the landmark edition of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, by Jack Herer (Hemp Publishing). Researched and co-authored portions throughout the book.

Legislative testimony, consultation, teaching, conferences, lectures, symposia

2001: Presented expert testimony and prepared displays on issues of cannabis cultivation and consumption and presented a report to Berkeley Public Health and Safety Commission; guest lectured in political science at University of California, Berkeley. Consulted with Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana in developing guidelines adopted by County of Somona law enforcement.

2000: Keynote speaker on medical marijuana at Alameda Medical Group staff dinner. Guest lectured at Mills College. Presented expert testimony for the City of Martinez (CA) on the federal IND medical marijuana program, garden yields and consumption. Presented data on medical marijuana use and cultivation at the Drug Policy Foundation conference, Washington DC. Gave presentations at Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo (CA). Gave two presentations at Cannabis College (Amsterdam).

1999: Guest lectured at Mills College; gave presentations at University of California Davis Forum, UC Berkeley Global Crisis Solutions Conference, CannaBusiness (Germany), Cannabis College (Netherlands), Natural Products Expo, and Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo.

1998: Taught a class on cannabis at the Omega Institute (NY). Debated former DEA head Peter Bensinger at Cal State University, Northridge. Testified at the National Academy of Science / Institute of Medicine hearings on medical marijuana (Irvine). Presented report on medical marijuana to SSSP sociologists convention. Gave presentations at the Hemp Industries Association convention, Santa Cruz Industrial Hemp Expo, VisionQuest, State of the World Forum and the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML).

1997: Participated in legislative advisory panel for California medical marijuana research bill SB 535. Supported legislative efforts on industrial hemp bills in 12 state legislatures. Taught classes on medical marijuana at Learning Annex, Five Branches Institute, and California legal patient groups. Lectured at Eco Expo, Natural Products Expo, Drug Policy Foundation (DPF) conference plenary session on cannabis research.

1996: Consulted on hemp legislation with State Representatives Fred Maslack of Vermont and David Tarnas of Hawai'i. Authored the industrial hemp re-introduction plan for the Jamaican government). Coordinated petitioners for California medical marijuana initiative, Prop. 215 (passed). Testified before Oakland City Council and Contra Costa County Supervisors on medical marijuana, and regulations and controls. Lectured at Stanford University. Lectured at Eco Expo and Whole Life Expo (CA). Participant in State of the World Forum (CA). Panelist in DPF conference (Washington DC) plenary session on medical marijuana.

1995: Met with European Cities on Drug Policy (ECDP) staff to discuss the Frankfurt Resolution on cannabis policy. Testified at Colorado State Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the economic and agricultural value of low-THC industrial hemp as a farm crop, European hemp regulations and subsidies, infrastructure and other commercial aspects, and genetic and environmental influences that maintain the non-drug characteristic of industrial hemp. Panelist in DPF conference plenary session on hemp. Spoke at Land, Air and Water legal conference (Oregon), Chapman University (CA), Whole Earth Expo (CA), Winnipeg University (Canada), and European Cannabis Consumers Organization organizing conference (Netherlands). Attended Biorohstoff Hanf symposium (Frankfurt, Germany).

1993-94: Had discussions with Eric Fromberg, head of The Netherlands National Institute on Alcohol and Drugs, and other Dutch officials regarding their policy of tolerance, regulation and control of cannabis distribution. Panelist in ACLU drug policy forum (Los Angeles CA). Chapman University (CA). Le Premier Journee Internationale du Cannabis (Paris, France). Presented hemp seminars throughout Holland and the US.

1992: Testified on hemp development and regulatory options at the US Congressional Hearings on Improving the Operations and Activities of the United Nations (Los Angeles, CA).

1991: Consulted with Senator Joseph Galiber of New York to develop separate industrial hemp and marijuana bills. Guest lectured at University of Southern California (USC) program for substance abuse counselors.

Organizational research and development

1994-1999: Founding member, first president, and currently advisory board member of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), the trade group for companies marketing legal hemp products.

1990-1999: Business consultant to hemp businesses including American Hemp Mercantile, Hemp-Flax, All Around the World Hemp, Crop Circle Clothing, and The Peebler Group.

1988-1999: Director of the Business Alliance for Commerce in Hemp, a research and promotional association that collects research and distributes information on various applications of cannabis hemp. Prepared the early educational materials, developed a network of importers and entrepreneurs, identified international sources of raw materials, analyzed international laws controlling hemp production, identified sections of customs and federal regulations that allow businesses to produce and market non-drug hemp products.

1988-1999: Director of the Family Council on Drug Awareness, which evaluates quality and methodology of various studies and reports, and uses its research to provide accurate information on the health and social consequences of marijuana use and drug policies.

Education

1980: Bachelor's degree. Fine Arts / Communication, California State University Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles California. Graduated Magna cum laude. Biology course included botany.

1973: Associate's degree in Humanities / Fine Arts, Frederick Community College, Frederick Maryland. Graduated Cum laude. Biology course included botany.

1967-1969: Attended Maryknoll Seminary, Chesterfield Missouri.

Some Honors and Awards

2001: Strathmore's Who's Who. The Lindesmith Center / Drug Policy Foundation "Robert Randall Award for Achievement in the Field of Citizen Action.

2000: San Francisco Bay Guardian's Local Hero Award. Hemp Awareness Group Award for courage in advocacy.

1998: Hemp Industries Association President's Award

1991: Long Beach Area Citizens Involved Achievement Award

1980: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities

1972: Who's Who in American Junior Colleges