cannabisnews.com: Pothead With a Purpose 





Pothead With a Purpose 
Posted by CN Staff on June 21, 2003 at 08:29:55 PT
By Theresa Edo, News Staff Writer 
Source: Metrowest Daily News 
Ashland -- A sometimes joker and admitted midnight toker says he is nearing an agreement with the town regarding the use of Stone Park for an event supporting marijuana decriminalization. Framingham resident Jim Pillsbury, founder and current spokesman of MetroWest's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), says he expects the town to agree to a settlement that would allow him to use any recreational facility in town for $150 liability insurance. The proposed settlement also says the charge for using Stone Park would include, but not be limited to, the current fee of $25 per hour.
"We expect a settlement is on the way, but our lawyer is still reviewing it," Town Manager Hector Rivera said yesterday.As of yesterday afternoon Ashland town counsel had not signed off on the agreement."I can't imagine them reneging on this deal right now. That would only mean a court battle," said Pillsbury.Last spring, Pillsbury, backed by NORML and the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MassCann), sued the town after Ashland imposed a $1 million liability insurance on an "educational event" he planned at Stone Park. He said the event would have helped collect signatures in support of a ballot question aimed at decriminalizing the drug.The monetary hurdle was a "laughable" way to hold back the "benign group," said Pillsbury."I'm not looking to burn buildings or burn crosses. We're just looking to educate people on cannabis and its recreational, medicinal and commercial benefits," said Pillsbury. "It's not that I use the park on a weekly basis."The town contended the $1 million insurance requirement was routine, and not a strategic move to block Pillsbury, MassCann or NORML from using the popular park."With any organization our insurance carrier strongly recommends we require liability insurance for any group using town facilities that's not a public agency," former Town Manager Dexter Blois told The MetroWest Daily News in September."Our coverage is $1 million, so that's what we would parallel. That's it. That's the bottom line," said Blois.Pillsbury said he chose Stone Park because the historical venue is "quaint" and a good size for NORML events, which draw about 100 people on a weekend day. And, he admits, the name lends itself to a few chuckles."If I could get Stone Phillips to come to Stone Park to interview a bunch of stoners, that would be good," said Pillsbury. "We take this very seriously, but you've got to have a laugh here and there."This is the second time in a decade the Framingham Libertarian has taken Ashland to court for violating free speech by unconstitutional prior restraint.On May 22, 1993, Pillsbury hosted a rally at Stone Park that included speakers and bands. The day went so well, he applied for another permit a few months later, he said.Pillsbury was denied permission on the basis of a newly instituted rule limiting non-residents use of the park to once a year, so he sued."It's been over a decade of them just trying to deny me access," said Pillsbury. "The town of Ashland, for whatever reason, just does not want me to use Stone Park."Judge Judith Cowin decided Ashland's adoption of the new rule limiting non-residents use of the park violated First Amendment rights of speech and assembly.That lawsuit cost Ashland more than $30,000.Pillsbury said he has no plans to host a future event at Stone Park, mostly because there are no marijuana-related questions on the fall ballot. For now, though, he said he is content to reserve his right to use the park without paying an exorbitant insurance cost."We could do a couple of somethings here and there, but right now nothing is planned." said Pillsbury.Pillsbury was also a Libertarian candidate for state representative in Framingham's 6th Middlesex District during this fall's election. Although defeated by incumbent state Rep. Debby Blumer, D-Framingham, he said he'll run again for the seat next year.MetroWest NORML of Massachusetts1257 Worchester Rd. #129Framingham, MA 01701Phone: (508) 788-6249Contact: Jim Pillsbury E-mail: jpills6930 aol.com Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)Author: Theresa Edo, News Staff Writer Published: Saturday, June 21, 2003Copyright: 2003 MetroWest Daily NewsContact: mdnletters cnc.comWebsite: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/Related Article & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/MassCannhttp://www.masscann.org/Pot Shots: The Faces of Marijuana in Bostonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10902.shtmlCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by ekim on June 22, 2003 at 09:36:06 PT
>- Ralph Nader has invited Dennis to speak 
>- Ralph Nader has invited Dennis to speak at a mass rally in Baltimore, >Thurs. June 26. >http://democracyrising.org/baltimore/
 
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Comment #1 posted by John Tyler on June 21, 2003 at 22:10:29 PT
Will the DEA try to step into this?
It will be interesting to see if the DEA tries to shut down this event.
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