The issue focused on food rights in general, with civil rights lawyer Justice Law Attorney Peter Macdiarmid calling for legal changes to laws that criminalize anything illegal.

"We need to improve upon federal law," he said. "If you do not believe it's constitutional, then there are legislation things you can do and legislate about it."

An attorney from the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association did not appear at Tuesday's hearing. He also could not be reached for comment.

When lawyers