cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Group Questions Support!





Marijuana Group Questions Support!
Posted by FoM on July 01, 1999 at 07:47:59 PT
Andy Gotlieb of The Tampa Tribune 
Source: The Tampa Tribune
ZEPHYRHILLS - A pro-marijuana group thinks the city's blowing smoke concerning a banner advertising its July 4th event. Given the role marijuana hemp products played in the city's past, Michael Palmieri can't understand why the city isn't enthusiastic about the July 4 ``Hemp Revolution'' planned in Zephyr Park.
Palmieri, executive director of Florida Organization Reformed Marijuana Laws, complained Monday to the city council about the way his event is being promoted. He said city staff was slow in erecting a banner at Sixth Street and U.S. 301. He contended the banner was hung improperly, and he questioned why the Dade City ``Sparklebration'' event drew top billing. Palmieri - clad in a coat, tie and baseball cap - said the city gives preferential treatment to organizations it supports. ``I feel organizations outside the clique are trampled upon,'' he told the council. City Manager Steve Spina says that's not the case, while noting that the city erects banners as a courtesy. ``We feel we do this as a service,'' he said. ``We don't have to put up the banners at all. ``In my opinion, staff has been very courteous and worked very well with him.'' Palmieri didn't get any sympathy from the council, either. ``The sign is hanging up now, and that's about all we can guarantee,'' City Council President Elizabeth Geiger said. Palmieri said Tuesday he was frustrated in dealing with the city council, but that the reaction wasn't a surprise. Sunday's free Hemp Revolution begins at noon and runs until 10 p.m. at Zephyr Park on the south side of State Road 54 and just west of Gall Boulevard. Musicians such as Billy Bongster and Salomi Mommy will perform, while the High Times Freedom Fighters will speak. A hemp seed spitting contest is planned. Food will include hemp ice cream. Patrons may sign a petition in support of medicinal marijuana uses. ``We're not telling people to come out and smoke pot,'' Palmieri said. ``We're here to educate. We have a very strong hemp history here in Zephyrhills.'' MANY CIVIL WAR veterans who settled in Zephyrhills used marijuana hemp to make fabric and rope, Palmieri said. Hemp also was used in medical preparations, he said. City police haven't decided whether the event warrants extra patrols or staffing, Capt. Medford Griffin said. Palmieri is to meet today with the city's Site Plan Review Committee regarding specifics of the event. This isn't the state marijuana group's first run-in locally. The group wasn't allowed in March to join the Founder's Day celebration parade or set up a booth along Fifth Avenue. The two groups organizing the event, Main Street Zephyrhills and the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, said they had the right to decide who could participate.Pubdate : 6/30/99 http://www.tampatrib.com/sections/story2pa.htm
END SNIP -->
Snipped
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 01, 1999 at 07:55:40 PT:
Billing is Bummer for Hemp Group!
The Florida Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws event is taking place in Zephyrhills, says an organizer. So why did the city hang a Dade City event's banner higher?
Billing is Bummer for Hemp Group!
[ Post Comment ]

Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: