While everything seemed to be running smoothly at HempCon on Feb. 19-21 at the L.A. Convention Center, a dispute between event organizer Cheryl Shuman of Beverly Hills NORML 90210 and Cannabis Planet executive producer Brad Lane resulted in Shuman allegedly being assaulted by Lane after she demanded he remove live hemp plants from Cannabis Planet's booth. Lane denies the charge.
Shuman (below) tells CelebStoner: "He purposely brought in the marijuana, set up a smoking lounge etc., knowing full well the cops were everywhere and it would shut us down. After 12 different polite requests from police and security, he refused. Finally, I had to confront him and even though I was nice about it, he bodyslamnmed me and hurt my back horribly. I have been in major pain for days, especially because I've had five fractured vertabrae from two years ago car accident. I was begging Brad to comply. When he didn't, he got angry, bodyslammed me to keep me from gaining entrance into the booth. I had to grab and snap off the plants and get them out of sight of the police to save the show. I assure you I will file a restraining order and have him thrown in jail if it's the last thing I do. Someone must take a stand. I am not the first woman assaulted on the front lines of this movement."
Cannabis Planet is a California-based half-hour TV show that airs on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 pm in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. The show is gong through a transition with new anchors replacing Ngaio Bealum and Sarah Diesel.
Lane (left) tells CelebStoner about Shuman's assault charge: "I can assure you I never laid a finger on her. All I had was a couple of non-flowering hemp plants in the booth."
Lane says Shuman confronted him on Feb. 21, the last day of HempCon: "I told security the plants are staying. Then Cheryl appeared. She never asked nicely or begged, she just grabbed the plants and tore them apart. I was dumbfounded."
Lane left the Convention Center on his own accord. "I wasn't escorted out," he adds. "It's outright lies and her fabrication. I'm bummed out. I don't want to see the movement brought down or divided. Cheryl has a compelling story and I'm sorry for her medical condition."
Just last week, KTLA featured Shuman, who is suffering from cancer and needs a liver transplant. Prior to her association with NORML, she billed herself as the "optician to the stars."
Shuman reportedly resigned from her position as executive director of Beverly Hills NORML 90210 over the incident, though this has yet to be confirmed.
NORML's founder and legal counsel Keith Stroup hopes Shuman remains with the organization. "She's done a terrific job," he tells CelebStoner. "We've had more favorable coverage in L.A. than we've had in years since Cheryl came aboard. Her motivation is valid: she's sick, cannabis helps her and she wants to see it legalized."
Source: CelebStoner
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