Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Source: Beacon Journal, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/bj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6
Author: Craig Webb

FAIR PUTS LID ON MARIJUANA GROUP

Organizers In Medina Reject Norml's Request For Booth

Lighters Sparked Controversy Last Year

MEDINA - 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.
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