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Rob Kampia

January 01, 1970

Rob Kampia is an American activist who is the co-founder of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), co-founder of Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW), and founder of the Marijuana Leadership Campaign.

In 1988 Rob Kampia was arrested for growing marijuana for personal possession while attending Penn State University and served three months in prison. This experience led him to become a marijuana legalization activist. In 1993, Kampia moved to Washington D.C. to work with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). He then formed MPP with Chuck Thomas and Mike Kirshner "when his relationship with NORML director Richard Cowan soured."[1]

He served as MPP's executive director from 1995 until 2017, when he stepped down amid increasing public scrutiny of men accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.[2][3][4] After resigning from MPP, in 2018, Kampia founded the Marijuana Leadership Campaign and co-founded DSW.[5] Kampia continues to be a director at both organizations. Kampia "came out" as a client of sex workers to the Washington Examiner in 2019, saying "It's important, like the gay rights movement. ... If everyone knows someone who is gay, maybe being gay shouldn't be a hassle or a crime," Kampia said. "With this, anyone who has been engaged in paid sex, on the provider or the client side, should speak up and out themselves. I just outed myself to a reporter for the first time here."[4][6]

Early years and education edit

Kampia grew up in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, a small suburban town 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Philadelphia. Kampia was valedictorian of his 300-person graduating class at Souderton Area High School in 1986,[7][8] served three months in prison from November 1989 to February 1990, for growing cannabis for personal use at Penn State University, and was elected student body president two years later at that same school.[7] Three days after graduating with honors from Penn State in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in engineering science (a multidisciplinary honors program)[9] and minor in English, he moved to Washington, D.C., for the purpose of ending the government's war on marijuana users.[10]

Marijuana Policy Project edit

Rob Kampia co-founded MPP in 1995.[10] MPP has a lobbying branch, an educational branch, and a political action committee[11] and is based in Washington, D.C. MPP employs approximately 40 staffers, as well as consultants to pass statewide ballot initiatives and lobbyists to pass legislation through state legislatures.

Kampia has been quoted in almost every major newspaper in the U.S., discussed the cannabis issue dozens of times on local and national radio, appeared on national TV more than a dozen times, and has testified before Congress on two occasions.[12][13]

Sexual misconduct allegations (2009) edit

In August 2009, seven MPP staffers quit over an alleged incident of sexual misconduct[14] by Kampia involving a female subordinate after an office happy hour. According to former employees, department heads at the organization unanimously asked Kampia to move into a different position than executive director over the incident.[15] Following his statement that he was "hypersexualized,"[16] Kampia was "encouraged" by the MPP board of directors to take a three-month leave of absence and his return is subject to "convincing the board he has dealt with his issues."[17] This reportedly resulted in a cancellation of the MPP's annual fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion, with MPP's acting director indicating that "the PR ramifications of holding the event right now are probably obvious."[16] Kampia likened the incident to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, saying he could remain in charge just as Bill Clinton did.[18]

In February 2018, "NCIA's Board of Directors voted to remove Rob Kampia in accordance with our bylaws after an ethics committee review surfaced a pattern of behavior unbecoming of a board member." Kampia labeled his ouster as a "coup" in an attempt to save face and spin some sort of public sympathy.[19] This occurred soon after prominent NCIA board member Kayvan Khalatbari had resigned, in part, because the organization hadn't moved to reject Kampia sooner.[20]

Arizona controversy edit

In March 2015, Rob Kampia threatened Gina Berman, an emergency room doctor and operator of The Giving Tree Wellness Center, a licensed medical marijuana dispensary in Phoenix. A leaked email stated that he would spend $10,000 to pay people for 1,000 hours of time to distribute literature outside of her front door that would not portray her favorably. This was triggered by philosophical differences regarding the 2016 legalization campaign between Kampia's organization and marijuana dispensary operators in Arizona. Berman issued a public response stating that if Kampia pursues the threat, "it is very likely that both MPP as an organization and you as an individual will be liable for tortuously interfering with business expectancies."[21]

Decriminalize Sex Work edit

Kampia co-founded DSW in 2018 with lawyer Melissa Broudo, social worker Crystal DeBoise, and activist and comedian Kaytlin Bailey. Initial funding was provided by Scott and Cyan Banister. In 2019, DSW filed a ballot initiative to decriminalize prostitution in Washington D.C., but pulled the initiative after push back from local sex worker activists who objected to collaborating with DSW and Kampia. "We know that this ballot initiative can be won, but we cannot and do not want to do it when local activists are not interested in collaborating with our organization," DSW said in a statement. In 2021, DSW supported the city initiative to remove prostitution related language from Burlington, Vermont's city charter, and funded the Ishtar Collective, a local sex worker activist organization. In New York state, DSW supported two legislative actions that were signed into law. One expands the ability of survivors of human trafficking to expunge their criminal records. The other abolished the "Walking While Trans" law. People can no longer be arrested for "loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense," which DSW says "was used by police overwhelmingly to target trans persons of color." With support from DSW, New Hampshire and Vermont both enacted so-called "Good Samaritan" laws, which protect sex workers from arrest should they seek police protection from assault. In Rhode Island, DSW encouraged the House of Representatives to create a legislative study commission to review how laws impact sex workers.

Notable appearances edit

In March 2001, Kampia testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives on the medical cannabis case that was pending before the U.S. Supreme Court at the time. As the only witness to advocate for the removal of criminal penalties for cannabis-using patients, Kampia was questioned intensely by all Republican subcommittee members in attendance, including Chairman Mark Souder (R-IN), who told Kampia, "You're an articulate advocate for an evil position."[22] The hostile exchange between Kampia, Souder, and other members of Congress made national news.

On April 1, 2004, as an expert witness, Kampia testified before the US House Government Reform Subcommittee on "Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources". The hearing was titled "Marijuana and Medicine: The Need for a Science Based Approach". Kampia told congress "...current federal policies are not based on science; rather, they are based on myths and lies. Worse yet, the federal government is currently blocking scientific inquiry into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. This collusion in support of delusion is an outrage and must be stopped. State medical marijuana laws must be respected, and research into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana must be allowed to proceed expeditiously." Kampia attacked the federal government's medical cannabis policies, as well as subcommittee chairman Mark Souder (R-Ind.) – one of the House's most vehement opponents of medical cannabis. Kampia was the only anti-prohibitionist to testify at the hearing.[23][24][25]

Kampia has debated the cannabis issue on national TV against then White House Deputy Drug Czar Andrea Barthwell, then-Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA) (who subsequently lobbied for MPP[26]), then DEA administrator Asa Hutchinson, then California Attorney General Dan Lungren, and other prohibitionists.[12]

Kampia has also discussed the cannabis issue on National Public Radio's Justice Talking with Margot Adler and – more recently in January 2006 – on NPR's All Things Considered.

Electoral politics edit

Kampia ran for Washington D.C.'s congressional seat in 2000, as a member of the Libertarian Party. He was defeated by Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).[7] He supported former Congressman Bob Barr in the 2008 presidential election, saying that Barr was "the only presidential candidate who is in favor of reducing the size of the federal government while also supporting civil liberties."[27]

References edit

  1. ^ "Former Valedictorian Fights to Change Marijuana Laws". CNS Maryland. 1996-11-22. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  2. ^ "Did Past Harassment Allegations Finally Catch Up To MPP's Rob Kampia?". 2017-11-21.
  3. ^ . 2018-01-13. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  4. ^ a b . 2018-11-22. Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  5. ^ "About". Decriminalize Sex Work. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  6. ^ "Pot legalization activist turns sights on prostitution, 'comes out' as client". Washington Examiner. 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  7. ^ a b c . The Washington Post. 2000-11-11. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  8. ^ Burikitt, Janet (November 22, 1996). "Former Valedictorian Fights to Change Marijuana Laws". Capital News Service. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
  9. ^ "Engineering Science: The Discipline, Profession and Curriculum at Penn State". The Pennsylvania State University. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  10. ^ a b . MPP. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  11. ^ . MPP. Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  12. ^ a b . MPP. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  13. ^ . Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  14. ^ . Archived from the original on 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  15. ^ [1][dead link]
  16. ^ a b "Marijuana Policy Project Cancels Playboy Mansion Fundraiser, Citing Obvious Reasons". 10 February 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Marijuana Policy Project's Rob Kampia takes therapy leave after sexual misconduct". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  18. ^ . Archived from the original on 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  19. ^ "Rob Kampia removed from National Cannabis Industry Association board". February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  20. ^ "NCIA board member departs early, rips group's direction and handling of sexual misconduct accusations". 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Marijuana group executive says he will target rival group". Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  22. ^ "Civility In Congress Update". Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  23. ^ . MPP. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  24. ^ "H. Rept. 107-805 - ACTIVITIES of the HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS 2001-2002 (Pursuant to House Rule XI, 1(d))". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  25. ^ "Testimony of Mr. Rob Kampia Executive Director, Marijuana Policy Project Before the Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources" (PDF). April 1, 2004. (PDF) from the original on 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  26. ^ . MPP. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  27. ^ Who's Getting Your Vote?, Reason

External links edit

  • Official MPP Website
  • Kampia's appearance on MSNBC to discuss marijuana's status as the U.S. number 1 cash crop
  • Kampia's appearance at the Austin Freedom Fest
  • Kampia discusses MPP for the organization's year end review

January 01, 1970
kampia, american, activist, founder, marijuana, policy, project, founder, decriminalize, work, founder, marijuana, leadership, campaign, 1988, arrested, growing, marijuana, personal, possession, while, attending, penn, state, university, served, three, months,. Rob Kampia is an American activist who is the co founder of the Marijuana Policy Project MPP co founder of Decriminalize Sex Work DSW and founder of the Marijuana Leadership Campaign In 1988 Rob Kampia was arrested for growing marijuana for personal possession while attending Penn State University and served three months in prison This experience led him to become a marijuana legalization activist In 1993 Kampia moved to Washington D C to work with NORML National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws He then formed MPP with Chuck Thomas and Mike Kirshner when his relationship with NORML director Richard Cowan soured 1 He served as MPP s executive director from 1995 until 2017 when he stepped down amid increasing public scrutiny of men accused of sexual misconduct and harassment 2 3 4 After resigning from MPP in 2018 Kampia founded the Marijuana Leadership Campaign and co founded DSW 5 Kampia continues to be a director at both organizations Kampia came out as a client of sex workers to the Washington Examiner in 2019 saying It s important like the gay rights movement If everyone knows someone who is gay maybe being gay shouldn t be a hassle or a crime Kampia said With this anyone who has been engaged in paid sex on the provider or the client side should speak up and out themselves I just outed myself to a reporter for the first time here 4 6 Contents 1 Early years and education 2 Marijuana Policy Project 2 1 Sexual misconduct allegations 2009 2 2 Arizona controversy 3 Decriminalize Sex Work 4 Notable appearances 5 Electoral politics 6 References 7 External linksEarly years and education editKampia grew up in Harleysville Pennsylvania a small suburban town 30 miles 48 km northwest of Philadelphia Kampia was valedictorian of his 300 person graduating class at Souderton Area High School in 1986 7 8 served three months in prison from November 1989 to February 1990 for growing cannabis for personal use at Penn State University and was elected student body president two years later at that same school 7 Three days after graduating with honors from Penn State in 1993 with a bachelor s degree in engineering science a multidisciplinary honors program 9 and minor in English he moved to Washington D C for the purpose of ending the government s war on marijuana users 10 Marijuana Policy Project editRob Kampia co founded MPP in 1995 10 MPP has a lobbying branch an educational branch and a political action committee 11 and is based in Washington D C MPP employs approximately 40 staffers as well as consultants to pass statewide ballot initiatives and lobbyists to pass legislation through state legislatures Kampia has been quoted in almost every major newspaper in the U S discussed the cannabis issue dozens of times on local and national radio appeared on national TV more than a dozen times and has testified before Congress on two occasions 12 13 Sexual misconduct allegations 2009 edit In August 2009 seven MPP staffers quit over an alleged incident of sexual misconduct 14 by Kampia involving a female subordinate after an office happy hour According to former employees department heads at the organization unanimously asked Kampia to move into a different position than executive director over the incident 15 Following his statement that he was hypersexualized 16 Kampia was encouraged by the MPP board of directors to take a three month leave of absence and his return is subject to convincing the board he has dealt with his issues 17 This reportedly resulted in a cancellation of the MPP s annual fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion with MPP s acting director indicating that the PR ramifications of holding the event right now are probably obvious 16 Kampia likened the incident to the Monica Lewinsky scandal saying he could remain in charge just as Bill Clinton did 18 In February 2018 NCIA s Board of Directors voted to remove Rob Kampia in accordance with our bylaws after an ethics committee review surfaced a pattern of behavior unbecoming of a board member Kampia labeled his ouster as a coup in an attempt to save face and spin some sort of public sympathy 19 This occurred soon after prominent NCIA board member Kayvan Khalatbari had resigned in part because the organization hadn t moved to reject Kampia sooner 20 Arizona controversy edit In March 2015 Rob Kampia threatened Gina Berman an emergency room doctor and operator of The Giving Tree Wellness Center a licensed medical marijuana dispensary in Phoenix A leaked email stated that he would spend 10 000 to pay people for 1 000 hours of time to distribute literature outside of her front door that would not portray her favorably This was triggered by philosophical differences regarding the 2016 legalization campaign between Kampia s organization and marijuana dispensary operators in Arizona Berman issued a public response stating that if Kampia pursues the threat it is very likely that both MPP as an organization and you as an individual will be liable for tortuously interfering with business expectancies 21 Decriminalize Sex Work editKampia co founded DSW in 2018 with lawyer Melissa Broudo social worker Crystal DeBoise and activist and comedian Kaytlin Bailey Initial funding was provided by Scott and Cyan Banister In 2019 DSW filed a ballot initiative to decriminalize prostitution in Washington D C but pulled the initiative after push back from local sex worker activists who objected to collaborating with DSW and Kampia We know that this ballot initiative can be won but we cannot and do not want to do it when local activists are not interested in collaborating with our organization DSW said in a statement In 2021 DSW supported the city initiative to remove prostitution related language from Burlington Vermont s city charter and funded the Ishtar Collective a local sex worker activist organization In New York state DSW supported two legislative actions that were signed into law One expands the ability of survivors of human trafficking to expunge their criminal records The other abolished the Walking While Trans law People can no longer be arrested for loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense which DSW says was used by police overwhelmingly to target trans persons of color With support from DSW New Hampshire and Vermont both enacted so called Good Samaritan laws which protect sex workers from arrest should they seek police protection from assault In Rhode Island DSW encouraged the House of Representatives to create a legislative study commission to review how laws impact sex workers Notable appearances editIn March 2001 Kampia testified before a subcommittee of the U S House of Representatives on the medical cannabis case that was pending before the U S Supreme Court at the time As the only witness to advocate for the removal of criminal penalties for cannabis using patients Kampia was questioned intensely by all Republican subcommittee members in attendance including Chairman Mark Souder R IN who told Kampia You re an articulate advocate for an evil position 22 The hostile exchange between Kampia Souder and other members of Congress made national news On April 1 2004 as an expert witness Kampia testified before the US House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Drug Policy and Human Resources The hearing was titled Marijuana and Medicine The Need for a Science Based Approach Kampia told congress current federal policies are not based on science rather they are based on myths and lies Worse yet the federal government is currently blocking scientific inquiry into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana This collusion in support of delusion is an outrage and must be stopped State medical marijuana laws must be respected and research into the therapeutic benefits of marijuana must be allowed to proceed expeditiously Kampia attacked the federal government s medical cannabis policies as well as subcommittee chairman Mark Souder R Ind one of the House s most vehement opponents of medical cannabis Kampia was the only anti prohibitionist to testify at the hearing 23 24 25 Kampia has debated the cannabis issue on national TV against then White House Deputy Drug Czar Andrea Barthwell then Congressman Bob Barr R GA who subsequently lobbied for MPP 26 then DEA administrator Asa Hutchinson then California Attorney General Dan Lungren and other prohibitionists 12 Kampia has also discussed the cannabis issue on National Public Radio s Justice Talking with Margot Adler and more recently in January 2006 on NPR s All Things Considered Electoral politics editKampia ran for Washington D C s congressional seat in 2000 as a member of the Libertarian Party He was defeated by Eleanor Holmes Norton D DC 7 He supported former Congressman Bob Barr in the 2008 presidential election saying that Barr was the only presidential candidate who is in favor of reducing the size of the federal government while also supporting civil liberties 27 References edit Former Valedictorian Fights to Change Marijuana Laws CNS Maryland 1996 11 22 Retrieved 2022 05 10 Did Past Harassment Allegations Finally Catch Up To MPP s Rob Kampia 2017 11 21 Spotlight on Sexual Misconduct Reopens Old Wound and Reveals New Insight at Marijuana Policy Project 2018 01 13 Archived from the original on 13 January 2018 Retrieved 2022 05 10 a b Rob Kampia Leaves Marijuana Policy Project U S Marijuana Party 2018 11 22 Archived from the original on 2018 11 22 Retrieved 2022 05 10 About Decriminalize Sex Work Retrieved 2022 05 10 Pot legalization activist turns sights on prostitution comes out as client Washington Examiner 2019 02 04 Retrieved 2022 05 10 a b c D C Election News and Voters Guide The Washington Post 2000 11 11 Archived from the original on 2012 02 04 Retrieved 2007 07 20 Burikitt Janet November 22 1996 Former Valedictorian Fights to Change Marijuana Laws Capital News Service Retrieved 2007 12 12 Engineering Science The Discipline Profession and Curriculum at Penn State The Pennsylvania State University 2009 Retrieved 2009 04 20 a b Marijuana Policy Project We Change Laws MPP Archived from the original on 6 July 2008 Retrieved 19 December 2017 Marijuana Policy Project We Change Laws MPP Archived from the original on 8 June 2012 Retrieved 19 December 2017 a b Marijuana Policy Project We Change Laws MPP Archived from the original on 6 July 2008 Retrieved 19 December 2017 Why You Should Donate to MPP MPP TV Archived from the original on 2008 07 01 Retrieved 2008 06 30 High Times gt Scandal at the Marijuana Policy Project Archived from the original on 2010 01 18 Retrieved 2010 01 15 1 dead link a b Marijuana Policy Project Cancels Playboy Mansion Fundraiser Citing Obvious Reasons 10 February 2010 Retrieved 19 December 2017 Marijuana Policy Project s Rob Kampia takes therapy leave after sexual misconduct The Washington Post Retrieved 2010 05 22 High Times gt the HIGH TIMES Interview with Rob Kampia Archived from the original on 2010 04 01 Retrieved 2010 03 30 Rob Kampia removed from National Cannabis Industry Association board February 2018 Retrieved 2 February 2018 NCIA board member departs early rips group s direction and handling of sexual misconduct accusations 2018 01 18 Retrieved 2 February 2018 Marijuana group executive says he will target rival group Retrieved 19 December 2017 Civility In Congress Update Retrieved 2007 09 25 Marijuana Policy Project We Change Laws MPP Archived from the original on 14 May 2008 Retrieved 19 December 2017 H Rept 107 805 ACTIVITIES of the HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS 2001 2002 Pursuant to House Rule XI 1 d www congress gov Retrieved 2022 05 10 Testimony of Mr Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Before the Government Reform Committee s Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Drug Policy and Human Resources PDF April 1 2004 Archived PDF from the original on 2021 03 24 Retrieved 2022 05 10 Marijuana Policy Project We Change Laws MPP Archived from the original on 17 May 2008 Retrieved 19 December 2017 Who s Getting Your Vote ReasonExternal links editOfficial MPP Website Kampia s appearance on MSNBC to discuss marijuana s status as the U S number 1 cash crop Kampia s appearance at the Austin Freedom Fest Kampia discusses MPP for the organization s year end review Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rob Kampia amp oldid 1213487980, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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