Pubdate: Sat, 16 Aug 2003
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2003 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Brian Bridgeford Baraboo News Republic

SAUK COUNTY TO REPLACE ORDINANCE

The New Law Will Replace One Ruled Unconstitutional After Being Used To Stop
A Weedstock Festival.

BARABOO -- Sauk County Board members could act as early as Tuesday to
replace the ordinance used to halt the 2000 Weedstock marijuana
festival that was found unconstitutional in July by the Wisconsin
Court of Appeals.

County Administrative Coordinator Gene Wiegand said the new ordinance
is designed to respond to the issues raised by the 4th District Court
of Appeals, such as the time for applying and for granting a permit
for a large gathering and the cost of such a permit.

The ordinance was challenged in a lawsuit filed by Ben Masel of
Madison, promoter of the annual Weedstock gathering to promote the
legalization of marijuana.

Masel and several of his followers were arrested as he prepared for
Weedstock 2000 on Memorial Day weekend on a farm east of Baraboo.
Masel refused to get a permit for the festival, claiming provisions of
the ordinance were too restrictive of his rights to free expression
and political speech.

Sauk County Sheriff Randy Stammen brought in a large force of area
police officers to seal off the site. Most participants left
peacefully, but Masel and 11 others were arrested for resisting a
court order requiring the permit or for drug-related violations.

The Sauk County Executive and Legislative Committee reviewed the court
ruling and, upon advice of the county's insurance company, decided
against appealing to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The amended version of the ordinance includes the following
changes:

Requires the county to decide on a permit within 20 days rather than
45 days.

Cuts the permit fee from $100 per day to $100 per
event.

Allows applications to be made 30 days before an event rather than
requiring 60 days.

Allows the use of two or more cell phones instead of a hardwired
phone, if cell phones work at the site of the event.

Eliminates penalties for organizing, promoting, advertising or
selling tickets for an event before its permit has been approved.

Masel's lawyer, Jeff Scott Olson of Madison, said he's disappointed
that Sauk County is amending the ordinance before consulting with his
client.

The committee members voted unanimously to approve the amended
ordinance and sent it to the full County Board.

If you go

What: Sauk County Board meeting

When: 6 p.m., Tuesday

Where: Third-floor board meeting room, West Square Building, 505 Broadway
downtown.

Why: Amend Chapter 12 of the Sauk County Code of Ordinances that governs
assemblies of 1,000 or more people who are together for more than 18 hours
in a place that is not generally equipped for people to gather.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin