Medical marijuana supporter wins Oregon AG primary

[May 16, 2012]  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A retired state judge supported by marijuana advocates has defeated a former federal prosecutor in a Democratic primary race for attorney general that focused on Oregon's medical marijuana law.

Former Oregon Court of Appeals judge Ellen Rosenblum victory Tuesday came with the help of marijuana activists who flexed their political muscles in a state with 55,000 registered pot users. She defeated former interim U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton, who has criticized Oregon's medical marijuana law and had overseen raids on medical marijuana grows.

Pro-pot groups attacked Holton and steered large campaign contributions to Rosenblum, who promised to make marijuana enforcement a low priority in office.

Rosenblum fended off Holton's criticism that she was taking money from medical marijuana supporters while promising to downplay the laws that regulate them.

[Associated Press]

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