Fair's Rejection Leaves NORML Doing a Slow Burn

Indianapolis Star ^ | August 9, 2002 | Will Higgins

[gdani]

The people at Indiana NORML, a branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, for several years had thought how nice it would be to be part of the Indiana State Fair: all those people, all those potential converts.

[dighton]

"We were going to limit our discussion to industrial hemp," said Neal Smith, another NORML board member, explaining that farmers could grow the stuff not to sell to stoners, but rather for use in building materials, paper, even fuel.

"It's not about getting high, honest! We're into ...... rope, and ........ medicine, and ............ stuff."

[AppyPappy]

NORML always has a booth at our town's fair. It is always inhabited by people that look as you would expect. I'm surprised they don't sue themselves for cultural ridicule.

[gdani]

NORML always has a booth at our town's fair. It is always inhabited by people that look as you would expect.

Newt Gingrich? Clarence Thomas?

[AppyPappy]

dreads, sleepy eyes, ragged clothes. Like a cartoon from the Weed Brothers.

[hometoroost]

"Indiana could supply the vast majority of the nation's energy needs with hemp fuel,"

The only way that could possibly be true is if everyone was too stoned to drive or operate heavy equipment! Total Barbara Striesand.

[HELLRAISER II]

I would have to agree that it is all about recreational use/smoking. But it is also true that hemp does have some interesting commercial uses other than smoking. As for the cop saying that it dulls the senses just like alcohol, well that's Bull $hit. It's nothing like alcohol.

[steve-b]

The State Fair now says the e-mail was a mistake

Yeah, it was a mistake to get caught lying. LOL

[Kermit]

The point is, that the stupid, unconstitutional, anti-freedom, pro-collectivism Marijuana Prohibition Laws not only attack stoners, they attack farmers, consumers and industry. Gee, isn't that great! Anything, as long as we attack the druggies! Enjoy that Big Mac, while you can, brother and dump the SUV, too!

[HELLRAISER II]

Don't kid yourself, there are many that dress up in a suit & tie every day. They hold full time jobs, have a 401K and pay their bills just like everybody else.

[Orual]

It's not about getting high, honest! We're into ...... rope, and ........ medicine, and ............ stuff."

[HELLRAISER II]

It's S.O.P. for P.C. lovers.

[Brookhaven]

The last county fair I attended had a section for advocacy and political groups. Groups like Right to Life, politicians running for office, religious organizations handing out literature, etc.. were all in one section of the fair. It seemed to be a good compromise.

If NORMAL (or any other group) wants to rent a booth to advocate political or legal change, they should be able to. Most country/state fairs receive some governement support which would seem to open the door to free speech questions.

[Paid4This]

Even if it was, why would that guy not want to ban alcohol as well. Oh well, maybe he does. People don't have enough real things to worry about in their own lives, so they worry about other people's lives.

[jalisco555]

Photos of Dale Earnhardt. Decorative license plates depicting cocker spaniels, smiley faces, Confederate flags. And toys -- stuffed animals, rubber balls, simulated dog doo

So, they allow right-wing hate groups to sell their wares but not NORML?

LOL

[HELLRAISER II]

Your right on the money Brookhaven, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. We supposedly live in an equal rights country, so what gives?

[gdani]

What is the attitude of the State Fair towards political speech? If they keep the Democrats, the Republicans, the Klan, the Communists, the Greens, whoever out, they certainly can keep NORML out.

Where does it say that the Fair is not allowing other political speech? In fact, every fair of this type that I've ever been to is full of political booths & candidates.

The bottom line is that the organizers - representatives of the state government - got caught lying.

[Dakmar]

I've met Steve Dillon of seceral occasions, I don't recall him ever being dressed in anything other than a suit and tie. And no, it's not tie-dye.

[jalisco555]

NORML always has a booth at our town's fair. It is always inhabited by people that look as you would expect.

Newt Gingrich? Clarence Thomas?

Not to mention William F. Buckley, Milton Friedman, George Shultz...

Hippies all!