cannabisnews.com: Santa Cruz Rejects Compromise For MMJ Festival
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Santa Cruz Rejects Compromise For MMJ Festival
Posted by CN Staff on September 24, 2009 at 05:41:37 PT
By Genevieve Bookwalter
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Santa Cruz --  City police officers could be in the uncomfortable position of ticketing ill medical marijuana patients on Saturday if leaders of Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana try to allow patients to inhale at their annual festival.Valerie Corral, co-founder of WAMM, a nonprofit collective for seriously ill medical marijuana patients, told council members Tuesday that patients needed a spot to smoke if necessary at Saturday's celebration of medical marijuana.
 She said the group would erect tents near the sidewalk for patients with prescriptions to smoke privately during the annual celebration in San Lorenzo Park.Smoking of all sorts is banned in the park but is allowed on the sidewalk until Santa Cruz's new no-smoking rules take effect next month. To city leaders, though, "near the sidewalk" is still in the park. As a result, those caught breaking the smoking ban could be cited $70."Of course it's awkward," said Councilman Mike Rotkin, a longtime WAMM supporter. "Both WAMM and probably most of the council members, if not all of them, would rather that it did not end up this way. This is messy."The situation arose from a procedural foul-up that precluded WAMM from asking the City Council to lift the no-smoking ban so the group could hold its annual medical marijuana celebration in San Lorenzo Park, as in years past. On Tuesday, Corral took responsibility for not asking a city council member to sponsor the item for consideration on that day's agenda, as required under city rules. "I apologize for the kerfuffle that's come about," Corral said.Her solution, tents near the sidewalk, was not an acceptable compromise for council members."While I understand that need, there is a risk of citation," Councilwoman Lynn Robinson said.Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend reiterated previous statements that the department will not increase the number of officers on duty for WAMMfest, but those working will give tickets to people caught smoking in the park. The city also could fine WAMM for violating its use permit for the event."It is our desire that WAMM will take ownership of the fact that an exemption was not granted and encourage attendees to respect the ordinance," Friend said. "If attendees elect to flaunt the ordinance, we are more than willing to issue citations."Corral said people are missing the point that those who will be smoking are seriously ill and use marijuana to relieve their symptoms. She said the smoking will continue, but WAMM will ensure it is discreet."We're losing track of what's important here," Corral said. "You almost wouldn't know that this is about people who are sick."Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Author: Genevieve Bookwalter Published: September 24, 2009Copyright: 2009 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/os1NFw6sWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles:No Smoking Allowed Due To Oversighthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread25020.shtmlWAMMfest Asks for Smoking Exceptionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread25011.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 26, 2009 at 19:11:38 PT
Pot Advocates Push to Legalize and Tax Marijuana 
Pot Advocates Push to Legalize and Tax Marijuana in California September 26, 2009 
 
 
 
The campaign to legalize marijuana in this state is stretching across Northern California this weekend and it's reached the Central Coast. Several at the WAMM fest, an event where people support medical marijuana, were signing to get a measure on the November 2010 ballot. The ballot pushes for people 21 and over to posses and cultivate marijuana and allow government to tax the drug. Glen Fisher who smokes marijuana said if pot were legal it can save law enforcement money. "Instead of exhausting jail space and law enforcement time on busting people with personal possession of marijuana for joints and stuff they can focus on more important things like violent crime," said Fisher.URL: http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=11204928
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 26, 2009 at 19:08:58 PT
Santa Cruz Pot Smokers Light Up
WAMMFest Kicks Off At San Lorenzo Park September 26, 2009SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The annual WAMMfest celebration lights up for medical marijuana users n Santa Cruz.Earlier this week, organizers hit a big snag when they forgot to ask city leaders to lift a smoking ban at San Lorenzo Park. Nevertheless, the event got off without any problems.There was no controversy in the park on Saturday, just a group of folks adamant that marijuana is essential to help the sick cope with pain."The benefits absolutely outweigh any of the legalities," said Matthew Roth.Roth is fortunate to be able to tell his story.URL: http://www.ksbw.com/news/21126728/detail.html
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Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on September 25, 2009 at 05:29:41 PT
bat
yes, you're righ,t as I mentioned ... you WILL look like you're smoking a demon-cigarette.some people would not like to appear thataway ...
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Comment #11 posted by Canis420 on September 24, 2009 at 21:47:01 PT:
Deep Tracks 
Bill Fitzhugh's all hand mixed vinyl is at it again on Deep Tracks...its all about Cannabis right now. A unique acoustic version of Wildwood Weed, Commander Cody doin Stems And Seeds Again Blues, New Riders Of The Purple Sage doin Panama Red, and not sure who did Layin Round The Shanty and Dont Bogart That Joint Me Friend. Got me stoked!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by josephlacerenza on September 24, 2009 at 18:04:27 PT
News from the Troll
IT HAS BEGUN!!!!!
Tax Cannabis 2010 to Kick-Off Statewide Signature Gathering Efforts, California
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by HempWorld on September 24, 2009 at 16:54:42 PT
Perata
Typical politician, changes his tune after he' seen the 'popular' vote ...It's follow the money, as usual ...
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 24, 2009 at 16:37:58 PT
Perata Backs Legalized Pot
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/matierandross/detail?entry_id=48310&tsp=1Don Perata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Perata
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Comment #7 posted by josephlacerenza on September 24, 2009 at 14:53:58 PT
The Bat
I have seen said object, but it is not about the using, as much as, the fact one has to hide said use. These people have the legal right to consume their medicine in any way fit, just not in the specified way of the law.Smoke/inhale/vaporize some before entering the park, and then when the munchie hit eat some good canna-yummies!!!!Another thing, what of a product such as Sativex, which is aerosalized, no heat there, are they going to cite a patient for this product?
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Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on September 24, 2009 at 11:02:51 PT
Eagle Bill ...
had the largest Vaporizer I have ever seen, in Amsterdam. Another suggestion, though, makes you look like you're smoking a cigarette, is to use a cigarette-looking "bat."It is possible to sit in the middle of a bleacher-full of "redneck OKies" at the Cache, OK "Bullrama" and to toke, one toke at a time, with a bat of that description.Peace to the WAMMfest ...  :-)
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Comment #5 posted by museman on September 24, 2009 at 10:17:54 PT
runruff
Ok, coffee break's over. Everybody back on their heads! :-)
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on September 24, 2009 at 09:45:46 PT
Time out!
How confusing is the time during this season of the year. It seems that time flies like an arrow but fruit flies like a watermelon!
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on September 24, 2009 at 09:02:57 PT
Taliban
Again I point out that American cops are not much different than the Taliban enforcersWhat harm could possibly come from a few people smoking on one afternoon? The State and it's moral rules have become paramount over anything else. 
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Comment #2 posted by museman on September 24, 2009 at 08:55:28 PT
cops
"Santa Cruz -- City police officers could be in the uncomfortable position of ticketing ill medical marijuana patients on Saturday if leaders of Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana try to allow patients to inhale at their annual festival."What? Cops 'uncomfortable' handing out tickets?Wait. The hypocrisy revealed;"It is our desire that WAMM will take ownership of the fact that an exemption was not granted and encourage attendees to respect the ordinance," Friend said. "If attendees elect to flaunt the ordinance, we are more than willing to issue citations." Cops need a good ass-whoopin (legally, verbally, and publicly -not physically) everywhere in this country.I advise citizens everywhere to start reminding them that they are not the supreme public authority. That belongs to the citizens first, the judges, and politicians second, and the cops last. They have somehow gotten it into their heads that they are the 'front lines' in public 'justice' when in fact they are literally PUBLIC NUISANCE #1! Serious dialogue needs to be made in every community, township and city in this country concerning the rabid cop situation. Cops do not make laws or policy, and they are not supposed to have a public opinion. Their words should not even appear in articles about cannabis, except as private citizens. as for cannabis, its simple;REPEAL PROHIBITION!
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on September 24, 2009 at 07:49:32 PT
uncomfortable to allow patients to inhale?
Oh, it has changed from smoking to not inhaling! Where is Eagle Bill? (inside joke for those who know him)If you cannot inhale in the park you would die from asphyxiation (lack of oxygen). That's no way to treat sick people!And obviously the 'Police' don't have an ounce of compassion.
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