Pubdate: Mon, 01 Jul 2002
Source: Marin Independent Journal (CA)
Section: First page
Copyright: 2002 Marin Independent Journal
Contact:  http://www.marinij.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/673
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL POT WAR RAGES ON

Shaw To Galvanize Supporters To Attend The Meeting.

To her relief, the commission voted unanimously to continue the permit 
until its August meeting to allow time for the club to provide a belated 
financial audit which, Commissioner Steve Shaiken said, the club is trying 
to do.

Neither the review, nor the decision, he said, bore any tie to the 
injunction. The commission did seek guidance from Town Attorney Joe Brecher 
on the matter, and was advised that municipalities have neither the 
obligation nor the right to enforce a federal injunction, Shaiken said.

"By continuing the permit process we're not in any way stopping the federal 
government from doing what they're going to do," Shaiken said.

"So long as they're in compliance and there's no legal impediment to their 
operation, the majority of the commission is supportive of it."

Among the people of Fairfax, he added, the alliance is widely supported. 
"Rarely does anyone complain, but numerous people have come forward to 
support them."

Despite the injunction, the Fairfax Planning Commission's decision and the 
county's new medical marijuana program were cause enough to celebrate for 
the Marin Alliance, which hosted a victory party over the weekend at Pete's 
881 Club in San Rafael, featuring music by "4 Pot Peace." The band 
continued the celebration last night with a performance at 19 Broadway in 
Fairfax.

"They have a pretty weak case," Shaw said of the federal government. "I 
think they haven't pursued us because they know it's a can of worms."
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MAP posted-by: Beth