Rumors have been flying around for months that Marijuana Policy Project executive director and co-founder Rob Kampia was charged with "sexual misconduct" by an employee. Seven staffers left the organization since the August incident. Now they've gone public and it's not a pretty story.

"Rob acted inappropriately toward MPP employees and interns throughout my time there," Zane Hurst tells High Times.

“Rob's behavior over the long term was inexcusable and irresponsible," adds Sarah Hench. "I am ashamed that I only felt empowered to address it after something very serious and egregious happened."

The incident in question took place on Aug. 7 in Washington, DC. According to one of the "MPP 7," Kampia offered to drive a female employee home after a group of MPP staffers had drinks at Union Pub at 201 Massachusetts Ave.

"They ended up at his house and sex ensued," one of the MPP 7 tells CelebStoner. "She was a subordinate non-management employee. There's a question about how consensual the sex was. He should've kept his hands to himself. You don't do that. It's all part of an ongoing pattern of fairly blatant sexual harassment.

"Rob has a long-standing habit of inappropriate behavior among woman and employees. Many quit. There had been some complaints and attempts to deal with this in the past. I can't work for people I don't trust or respect. Rob Kampia is a dishonest creep."

Diane Fornbacher recalls the time when Kampia made a move on her at the home of a DC marijuana activist. "Rob was lascivious," says Fornbacher, who has worked for the DPA and NORML, in an exclusive interview with CelebStoner. "He patted his lap. He had a hard-on. He inched closer and closer to me and he leaned over and smelled my cleavage. 'You look great,' he said. I didn't realize until then what a dickhead Rob was.

"He's a pig, a worm and a disappointment. He thought he was untouchable. It's about time he got called on this. I don't think he's capable of cleaning up his act. There needs to be a change of guard and a complete dismantling of the MPP. This is very devastating to the movement."

Earlier this week, the MPP celebrated its 15th anniversary with a star-studded DC gala.

Photo by CelebStoner


Also see:
High on the Hill with Cheech & Chong
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CelebStoner News

Comments (8)

8 Sunday, 07 February 2010 00:25

You don't need to know Rob Kampia to weigh in on this

Public image is everything. It's what used to be the difference between MPP and NORML. It's why more people donated to MPP rather than stoner-oriented NORML. With the Playboy Mansion Gala Parties and Rob Kampia being accused of sexual misconduct (published in the Washington Post!!!), common sense indicates loud and clear that this is catastrophe. Coddling the executive director sets a poor example for the other employees at MPP. If this had been a subordinate employee causing this bad publicity for the group, would Rob Kampia and other admins have given him or her three months paid "rehab" leave?

7 Wednesday, 03 February 2010 13:14

Josh

I know Rob Kampia incredibly well and for a very long time. He's a great person and a passionate worker. While it's true that he used innapropriate language on several times and dated/tried to date staff members....his intentions were never to hurt anyone or make anyone uncomfortable. I know that he is trying to resolve his issues and he'll be better for it.

6 Thursday, 28 January 2010 19:04

Daniel Williams

I know Rob Kampia. Not well, but we've spoken on several occasions. I found him to be a bit arrogant and condescending. I heard a few whispers of sexual proclivities, but nothing more.

Whatever your opinion of MPP, if this story doesn't play out any differently than it has already, Rob Kampia should permanently step down. And it wouldn't be a bad idea to seriously examine whether medical marijuana should remain the focus of drug policy reform.

5 Wednesday, 27 January 2010 20:32

In The Know

If you don't know Rob, please don't weigh in on this.

4 Wednesday, 20 January 2010 10:54

NM Cannabism Activist 505

Until there is conclusive evidence, I will not accept these allegations, which is what they are.

A lot of people are upset with MPP, because they push for medical marijuana bills that have repeatedly limited the access of patients, all the while touting themselves as the leading organization for Marijuana policy reform.

I've lost faith in MPP. I trust Ethan of DPA.org and all of my good friends at SafeAccessNow.org.

However, were it not for MPP's efforts these past 13 years we would not have progressed so far.

We should judge MPP for it's track record as a reform group, and stop focusing on one man's antics.

Isn't it funny that these people didn't speak up until now?

At a moment when our movement is really booming, is is coincidental or purposeful?

If you know that sharing your experience is going to damage the sanctity of this movement, be kind enough to deal with it in private.

There is no need to smear the good name of MPP like this.

The movement is more important than even one person's sexual harassment, I'm sorry.

According to the report he never 'forced' anyone to have sex with him.

It's not sexual harassment to 'have a hard on.'

A beautiful women tends to do that to a man.

Maybe he needs to calm down and get some tail.

If this is going to hurt MPP, then yes he should step back and let this scandal fade.

3 Wednesday, 20 January 2010 08:29

Mongo

The movement is imploding with idiots. First, that pervert in Ohio photographing topless underage girls and now Kampia and his antics. Is there any wonder cannabis is still illegal?

2 Sunday, 17 January 2010 11:16

Bruce Cain

This article exposes why DPA, MPP and NORML are not honest brokers of Marijuana Legalization:

War Breaks Out Within the Marijuana Legalization Movement (Part 1)

1 Friday, 15 January 2010 19:14

The Dude

Rob Kampia Sex Scandal photo released!

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