cannabisnews.com: Santa Cruzans Light Up for Arnie Santa Cruzans Light Up for Arnie Posted by CN Staff on November 18, 2003 at 08:16:28 PT By Donna Jones, Sentinel Staff Writer Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz — After the divisive recall, only one thing can heal the state’s political wounds — medical marijuana.At least that was the idea behind Light Up with the Governor. Billed as an alternative inauguration party, Monday’s event on the Eastside featured costumed revelers, a grope booth and a screening of the 1977 classic bodybuilding film, "Pumping Iron." "This is the one issue that unifies people in Santa Cruz across the political spectrum," said Arnie Schwartz, organizer of the event and a member of Lefties for Arnie. "We support the right of doctors to meet the needs of their patients."To prove his point, Schwartz invited speakers from diverse political backgrounds to the party.Dennis Peron wrote Proposition 215, the state’s successful medical marijuana initiative. "We finally have a pothead for governor," Peron said. "I’ve been waiting for this for a long time."Schwarzenegger appears to be taking a toke in "Pumping Iron," and has admitted to smoking pot.Peron said he supported the new governor, who is bringing hope to the state."These are trying times for everybody," he said. "I want to give the guy the chance to let the people recapture the California dream."Chris Hoops is the editor of Redwood Review, a UC Santa Cruz student newspaper with a Christian conservative point of view. A backer of limited government, he said the U.S. Constitution doesn’t permit the federal government to act against a state’s right to regulate medical marijuana.Hoops parted company with Peron on Schwarzenegger. He supported conservative Republican Tom McClintock in the recall. He said he was concerned with "how much (Schwarzenegger) wants to spend of taxpayers’ money," and appeared only slightly impressed that Schwarzenegger lived up to a campaign promise and rolled back vehicle license fees Monday.The party started slow at 4:20 p.m. — a time associated with smoking pot taken from the police code 420 for marijuana — with seemingly more media than participants. But by dark, when participants moved from the front yard to the rear of the Branciforte Drive residence, the party got a buzz with dancing, live music and more than a few partigoers lighting up. Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Author: Donna Jones, Sentinel Staff WriterPublished: November 18, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana.orghttp://www.marijuana.org/Alternative Inauguration Bash Held in Santa Cruz http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17821.shtmlSchwarzenegger Inherits Fights With White Househttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17521.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment