Pubdate: Tue, 02 Sep 2014
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2014 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Noelle Crombie

MARIJUANA EDUCATION SERIES FEATURING LEGALIZATION OPPONENT

Marijuana Education Series Featuring Legalization Opponent Kevin Sabet
In Flux Again

A Tigard drug abuse prevention official who was helping coordinate a
marijuana education series said Tuesday that some locations may not
host the event and that she is no longer organizing the series.

The series has been controversial from the start, with marijuana
legalization proponents questioning the use of federal dollars to help
pay for the kick-off session in Madras. The original sponsor backed
out, prompting the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association to step forward
last week with a $10,000 donation to keep the Madras event afloat. The
association opposes legalization.

The Madras event will continue as planned, but Connie Ramaeker said
each of the 12 other locations has decided to get its own speakers.
The political backlash prompted some local organizers to reconsider
whether to even host the event, she said.

Ramaeker, director of Tigard Turns the Tide, a drug prevention
coalition, said there "could be quite a few sites" that will continue
but she did not know how many.

"It's unsure if we are going to even call it an Oregon marijuana
education tour," she said.

She said the supporters of Yes on 91, the marijuana legalization
initiative, "threatened to come and lock arms at our locations and
broadcast from our locations and make it political."

"That is not the purpose at all for this whole tour," she said. "Our
purpose is to give honest, true facts and let the voters make their
own decisions."

Ramaeker said the Tigard event will continue, but it will be held at a
different location. She does not know where it will be held yet.

She said Kevin Sabet, one of the country's most vocal opponents of
marijuana legalization, has asked local organizers to let him know
whether they will proceed within the week so he can make travel plans.
Sabet was scheduled to be a headliner at each stop.

Russ Belville, a Portland-based host of a radio show that focuses on
marijuana culture and politics, said Tuesday he plans to broadcast his
show at whatever sites proceed with the event. He said Sabet's
involvement, as well as that of others known for their opposition to
legalization, support the idea that the event is a political one.

"If it is truly an educational event, I am not interested in shutting
it down," said Belville. "I am interested in getting people from the
other side to be able to speak at it."

- -- Noelle Crombie 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D