cannabisnews.com: Vocals Leader Accuses Official of Threat Vocals Leader Accuses Official of Threat Posted by FoM on June 21, 2001 at 11:02:51 PT By Brenda Seekins, News Staff Source: Bangor Daily News 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.” Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)Author: Brenda Seekins, News StaffPublished: Thursday, June 21, 2001Copyright: 2001 Bangor Daily News Inc.Contact: bdnmail bangornews.infi.netWebsite: http://www.bangornews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Maine Vocalshttp://www.mainevocals.org/Planned Pownal Pot Event Canceled http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10102.shtmlPownal: State Not Helping Stop Fest http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10072.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by lookinside on June 21, 2001 at 18:40:28 PT: along with the... $200,000 in actual damages and the $99,000,000,000,000 inpunitive damages, they should insist on changing the name ofthe town to "POTFUL" or "McWilliamsville"(i like the 2nd onealot!) [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by sue on June 21, 2001 at 17:30:47 PT Take action ! Sue em and I mean sue em good !!! They deserve it. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment