Kyle Iboshi

KGW Senior Investigative Reporter

PORTLAND, Ore. - Devontre Thomas has big plans for the future. The 19-year-old just graduated from Chemawa Indian School in Salem. He’s headed to college this fall.

But hanging over his head is a low-level marijuana case.

The U.S. Department of Justice is charging the Oregon teenager with one count of marijuana possession — a misdemeanor.

“It’s a big deal when it comes to federal,” said Thomas. “That’s what scares me about it.”

The case illustrates how the federal government continues to prosecute some low-level marijuana offenses, including in states like Oregon, where voters legalized pot.

“It makes me wonder if we’ve caught all the terrorists, rapists and criminals that broke Wall Street,” said Russ Belville, founder of Portland NORML. “We have time to go after a 19-year-old with possession of marijuana?”

Oregonians ignore concerns, embrace marijuana

Last year, federal prosecutors charged 2,349 people with marijuana possession in the United States, according to federal court data.

Prior to Devontre Thomas, there hadn’t been a federal marijuana possession case in Oregon since 2011.

Federal prosecutors won’t say why they decided to go after the Oregon teenager. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Portland declined to comment “given this is a pending matter.”

The one-page court document filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Martin reads, “On or about March 24, 2015, in the District of Oregon, defendant Devontre James Thomas knowing and intentionally possessed marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.”

The case was filed on April 7, 2016, roughly one year after the alleged crime.

“It’s something I’ve got to deal with and keep pushing forward,” said Thomas. “I’ve got to face the consequences for what I did.”

Under federal law, it doesn’t matter how much marijuana a person is carrying. Possession of any amount of pot is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000.

Most federal marijuana possession cases don’t result in prison time, but they can leave a mark on a person’s record.

“Why continue to try to ruin people’s lives,” asked Belville, the pro-marijuana advocate. “Make it tough for this kid to get a job, to be able to apply for college scholarships, to get security clearances, to own a home?”