Pubdate: Wed, 19 Nov 2003
Source: Willamette Week (OR)
Copyright: 2003 Willamette Week
Contact:  http://www.wweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/499
Cited: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws ( www.norml.org )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/ashcroft.htm (Ashcroft, John)
Note: Only drug policy related portions of column archived.

MURMURS

Portland's Gossip Rototiller

. Congressman Earl Blumenauer is investigating reports that PDX nemesis 
Attorney General John Ashcroft tried to block the Oregon Medical Cannabis 
Awards banquet. The banquet, hosted by the state chapter of the National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, had been--and still 
tentatively is--slated for Nov. 22 at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree. But on 
Saturday the organizers called speakers telling them the hotel might back 
out. A hotel representative and NORML organizer Madeline Martinez would not 
discuss what the problem was, but Martinez says things appear back on 
track. Citing unconfirmed reports that the feds threatened the hotel with 
criminal charges, Kathie Eastman of Blumenauer's office says, "We're 
looking into it."
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MAP posted-by: Jackl