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| Fair Puts Lid on Marijuana Group |
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Posted by FoM on July 18, 2001 at 07:54:30 PT By Craig Webb, Beacon Journal Staff Writer Source: Akron Beacon Journal 
Organizers of the Medina County Fair have just said no to a group of activists seeking to legalize marijuana. John Hartman, president of the Cleveland Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said fair officials contacted him yesterday, saying the group's application to set up a booth at the weeklong fair, which opens July 30, has been rejected. Hartman said fair officials reiterated their objection from last year to the group's selling lighters that encourage the legalization of marijuana. At last year's fair, NORML's sale of lighters ignited a controversy after fair officials objected, citing fears youngsters would use the $1 lighters to set fires in barns. Hartman said he thinks fair officials were not worried about the lighters, but more concerned about kids walking around with souvenirs emblazoned with NORML's logo. ``I think this all has to do with politics,'' he said. ``I think they are still mad that all the media showed up last year when they blocked the sale of the lighters. That's what embarrassed them.'' Newspaper and broadcast media reporters descended on the fair last year to report on the controversy. Fair board President Dave Bertram said the group's booth contract last year clearly prohibited the sale of lighters. Since NORML violated the rules, Bertram said, the fair board decided to reject the group's request to return to this month's fair. Besides, he said, the board didn't think NORML fit in with the Commercial Building's other exhibitors, which range from Amway to the Republican Party to the Ohio National Guard. ``We just felt the booth wasn't appropriate for a family operation,'' he said. ``We work hard to try and maintain a family image.'' Hartman said the group was just seeking a venue to spread its message and the fair board's actions over the last two years have helped it accomplish that goal. ``It's a police state out there in Medina County,'' he said. Note: Organizers in Medina reject NORML's request for booth. Lighters sparked controversy last year. Source: Beacon Journal, The (OH) NorthCoast NORML CannabisNews - Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #5 posted by SWAMPIE on July 19, 2001 at 04:32:46 PT |
| This is just another attempt by the fools in our area to"save the kittle kiddies"from a most certain death from cannabis!I live within 20 miles of the fairgrounds,and go every year.If they think that lighters are a problem,then they shouldn't let any of the other vendors at the fair sell them too.There are many who sell them to anyone!!Even 7-year olds can buy them from most vendors!Seen it!!!It is just another attack on our freedom of speech!If NORMAL didn't sell the lighters,they could have gotten the permit!This area is loaded with well-to-do people who will cry about anything,especially if it might effect their image of richness,or affect their precious property values.Medina is between Akron and Cleveland.I urge anyone who can,go to the fair with flyers,bumper-stickers,or anything else to inform others of the need to change these laws!I'll be there if I can,and will do what I can to help.Save the Constitution!!! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by sm247 on July 18, 2001 at 16:39:01 PT |
| It's not ok for NORML to do it but many retail chains do it daily. I think NORML needs to file a lawsuit against the Fair board. Our fair was last week we were thinkin of takin up a collection for next year to pay for NORML to set a booth up. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #3 posted by Mad Scientist on July 18, 2001 at 12:13:14 PT:
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| Perhaps because, unlike the rest of the exhibitors, it has some higher and more meaningful purpose than fleecing others out of money in shallow MLM schemes and being a rightwing, corporate-controlled environmental vandal. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by S.M.Ash on July 18, 2001 at 10:39:14 PT:
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Well, once again the republicans have flexed their mussle, & forbid NORML from spreading the word. I think the best thing that we as Americans can do is to get our kids (legal age) our aunts,& uncles, & everyone we know who does not vote, to get off their keesters, & VOTE. Why because it's our duty, not just a right, but DUTY to vote [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by CorvallisEric on July 18, 2001 at 10:14:52 PT |
| "Besides, he said, the board didn't think NORML fit in with the Commercial Building's other exhibitors, which range from Amway to the Republican Party to the Ohio National Guard." No comment. [ Post Comment ] |
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