NE Bend cannabis store focus of criticism, protests over claims of owner misconduct

Owner agrees to interview, later recants statements after speaking with attorney

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Former employees of Top Shelf Medicine, a northeast Bend cannabis store, were standing outside on the sidewalk Sunday, protesting against their former employer. 

 For three days they have been holding signs that said "More like bottom shelf" and "I got fired because I won't date the owner."

A former associate, Shey Z. Samson, claims the owner approached her and offered her a place to stay while she was in a vulnerable state. She alleges he made romantic advances towards her.

According to Samson, she made clear that she was not interested in a relationship with him. She said the owner then started to try to find ways to get her fired.

Beginning March 30, the shop began to have issues with the lock on its doors, which is now fixed.  Samson was responsible for closing down the shop. The owner reportedly fired her when she failed to secure the store after closing. 

"It's not about me," Samson said Sunday. "It's about standing up for how we are not financial transactions. You work so hard there. We work so hard. Even through the bad -- integrity, gossip I heard, I wanted to just go in there and work. I did enjoy working at Top Shelf. I wish that things would have been different."

 By standing on the street, she said she's hoping to raising awareness and that someone will reach out to support her. 

Samson, whose sign-holding street-corner protest sparked online attention, was joined on the street by fellow former co-workers, as well as her former general manager, who walked out after having been given an ultimatum by the owner to fire her. 

Former general manager Amanda Lawrence said, "When I originally hired on Shey, David had told me that he didn't want to hire on Shey because he wanted to date her." 

The owner, David, agreed Sunday to an interview, which we conducted. But two hours later, he called to recant his statements, based on the advice of an attorney.