There is a 63-year-old woman who lives in Portland State University Housing, and her name is Joyce Boles. In early January 2010, Boles was arrested after Resident officials suspected her of smoking pot in her room. She’s got something to say:

“College is all about Cannabis.”

Joyce Boles (Photo: Alex Fallenstedt)

Now you’re listening.

On January 3rd, 2010, Resident Advisors Nachel and Louisa (last names not given) smelled cannabis in a hallway of the University Housing building at 1609 SW 10th Ave. The two RAs sent a message out to all of the building’s tenants, stating their desire to snoop around a little bit — especially on the first floor, where the smell was coming from. As RAs, Nachel and Louisa’s job is to ensure the safety of the residents, as well as enforce codes that every student agrees to.

Boles gave Nachel and Louisa “half-assed” permission to enter her apartment, #112. What surprised Boles was that Nachel and Louisa entered the apartment while Boles was gone, bringing three Portland Police Officers with them.

What’s that, Martin Lawrence? Yes, this shit just got real.

Boles returned to find the five of them poking around. Words were exchanged, but the Police Officers and RAs agreed that there was no immediate evidence of marijuana possession.

Boles claims she was not smoking pot and has not smoked in some time. “My smoking days are 20 years in the past,” she said over the phone, lying on her bed. She is also quick to admit that pot isn’t all that big of a deal. “[The University] should worry about the heavier stuff, like needles,” said Boles. “Next time, I will deny them access.”

This little incident caused Boles to stew in some anger, but it was only the beginning.

At the initial investigation, one of the officers present was a Lt. Miller, who identified himself to Boles later. After Lt. Miller looked in Boles’ apartment, he decided to do some homework at the precinct. Her name turned up a 6-month-old warrant, regarding an ignored Criminal Mischief 3 citation for writing with a Sharpie on the side of a business wall in NE Portland.

Shit just got REALER.

Seeing that an arrest hadn’t been made, Lt. Miller showed up to Boles’ apartment the next afternoon. When she got home, he handcuffed her, leaving bruises on her hands and shoulders.

At the downtown precinct, it was discovered that the Criminal Mischief 3 citation had in fact been dropped. Boles was free to go. Needless to say, this really put a wrench in her afternoon.

Soon after the event, Boles sought the help of attorney Craig P. Colby, who helped her sort out the case. After discussions with Colby, Boles dropped the case, due to the lack of substantial evidence against Portland State and the Portland Police Department.

Boles is still taking no action. “We don’t have a case,” she said. This, of course, is because Boles herself allowed the search to happen, even if only with “half-assed” permission.