blumenauer.JPG

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., talks with reporters Friday about his call for a federal investigation of the use of taxpayer funds for a series of marijuana education events.

(Jeff Mapes/The Oregonian)

Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer on Friday called for a federal investigation into whether taxpayer dollars are being improperly spent on marijuana education events that he said appear to be aimed at influencing voters to oppose the November ballot measure that would legalize the drug.

In a letter to White House drug czar Michael Botticelli and another top federal administrator, the Portland Democratic congressman weighed into a flap over the propriety of a series of October events in Oregon that prominently feature Kevin Sabet, a national opponent of legalization.

"The bias of the speakers selected, the overall one-sided focus of the events, and the proximity between these events and the upcoming elections are cause for concern," wrote Blumenauer, who has been one of the chief supporters of marijuana legalization in Congress.

Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis, the chief spokesman for the campaign opposing marijuana legalization, charged that Blumenauer and other pro-legalization advocates are attempting to "bully" people to keep them from discussing the potential harms of marijuana use.

"I don't think they want anyone talking about the fact that marijuana is a drug and has issues," said Marquis. "This is political thuggery."

Marquis, who also planned to speak at some of the events, said that sponsors of the tour have made it clear all along that they would not allow discussion of Measure 91, the legalization initiative.

Blumenauer said in a press conference that he's not trying to stifle debate on marijuana. But he argued that opponents purposely scheduled a series of one-sided presentations on the drug just before the Nov. 4 election to sway the results.

"What appears to be the systematic abuse of federal grant dollars should not be tolerated," said Blumenauer, adding that federal grant recipients could be potentially personally liable for returning any misspent money.

Sabet's planned appearances in Oregon were sponsored a series of local drug-abuse prevention groups that receive federal funds. An initial two-day drug summit in Madras that was to be paid for with federal funds was canceled, but replacement funding was provided by the Oregon State Sheriff's Association.

In his letter, Blumenauer said he was also concerned about federal funds used to pay for anti-marijuana ads around the state that could influence voters. He said that Mandi Puckett, an official for BestCare Treatment Practices who worked on placing the ads, is also a member of the No on 91 campaign.

Puckett could not be reached for comment Friday morning and is now working on the opposition campaign, according to Rick Treleaven, executive director of BestCare.

Treleaven said he had received approval from federal officials for the Madras summit and the advertising campaign. "I think if you look at the ads, they are not about electioneering," he said. "They are public service ads."

UPDATE: On Saturday, Puckett accused Blumenauer of making "hurtful and unfounded accusations" about her. She said that she was working on prevention programs needed whether marijuana is legal or not.

"One of the primary duties of a prevention coordinator is to provide evidence-based prevention education to the public. I am saddened to see my former employer, other coordinators and coalitions across the state bullied by a pro-marijuana politician simply for doing the job we were funded and approved to do," Puckett said in a press release.

Blumenauer's letter includes copies of the ads, which include such headlines as "marijuana, it's harmful to youth," and "marijuana, it lowers intelligence."

Originally, the Madras Summit on Oct. 1-2 was to be followed by a 12-city tour. Marquis said the summit has been scaled down to one day and he said the "Oregon Marijuana Education Tour" may only involve four or five events.

-- Jeff Mapes