What’s really scary is that if they had found so much as a trace of drugs, we’d be saying it was justifiable. The cops just picked on the wrong guy, really. There a thousands, maybe millions, saying “Welcome to the party, Mr. Eckert”.
I would suggest you make that "we" a little more selective.
I certainly wouldn't agree there was any justification even if they'd found an ounce of coke. I lay this man's treatment directly at the feet of all drug warriors. The drug war is worse than any amount of trouble legalization could cause. They've used it to attack the constitution for decades, and sadly there are those on this site who will cheer them on.