VOCALS LEADER ACCUSES OFFICIAL OF THREAT

POWNAL - The Maine Vocals' plan to hold a pro-marijuana festival in
Cumberland County this weekend came to a screeching halt this week,
but not without the group's leadership crying foul.

"She's overstepping," Vocals founder Don Christen said Wednesday,
charging that Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson
threatened landowner Andy Jordan. "We've talked to some attorneys who
think we have a hell of a case.

"There will be more to come," he added, referring to the group's
plans to consult an attorney who specializes in similar cases.

Earlier this month, Pownal selectmen denied the group a permit to
hold the gathering on Jordan's land. Christen vowed to hold the event
regardless, citing a constitutional right to assemble.

The Cumberland County Hemp Festival was scheduled to go on as planned
until Jordan abruptly withdrew the use of his land.

"We had a lease," Christen said of the arrangement with Jordan. "She
threatened him."

Anderson sent a letter to Jordan informing him that "it is my
intention to seek a forfeiture of your property" if "evidence of
qualifying crimes" was discovered during the event. She cited the
state's right to seize property in connection with Class A, B, or C
crimes "involving controlled substances other than marijuana
committed during the festival."

Earlier this week, Anderson said her letter wasn't meant as a threat.

"She's not his attorney and he didn't seek any legal advice,"
Christen said of Anderson's letter. "A lot of people aren't familiar
with the law. That would be enough to scare anybody - the threat of
losing your land."

Christen claimed Anderson's reference to events "committed during the
festival" is an acknowledgment the group had a right to hold the
festival.

"[Jordan] wanted to go forward," Christen said. "This has cost us a
lot. They've stopped a nonprofit organization, legally sanctioned by
the state, from holding a fund-raising event."


Newshawk: Sledhead - http://www.maximizingharm.com/
Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)
Copyright: 2001 Bangor Daily News Inc.
Contact: letters2@bangordailynews.net
Website: http://www.bangornews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/40
Author: Brenda Seekins
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)