Pubdate: Fri, 26 Sep 2008
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)
Copyright: 2008 Santa Cruz Sentinel
Contact: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/submitletters
Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/394
Cited: Wammfest http://wammfest.org/
Cited: Measure K http://www.drugsense.org/caip#scruz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/WAMM
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

WHAT HAPPENS IN SANTA CRUZ ...

Any misconception that Santa Cruz doesn't march to a different 
drummer should once again dissipate in a cloud of smoke.

You can make your own conclusions about the origin of that smoke.

But, in a week where news headlines have warned of an imminent 
financial market meltdown, as a presidential campaign continues to 
veer into the slightly surreal, events and public life in the city of 
Santa Cruz provide a welcome respite from all the seriousness.

After all, in what other city would a decidedly left-leaning city 
council be told it was acting as if members were old and conservative 
by not permitting people to smoke marijuana in public, at a city 
park, where smoking is officially banned?

We've already discussed the merits of a smoking ban at public parks 
- -- overzealous government intrusion in people's behavior -- and then 
the poor example that would be set by telling medical marijuana 
backers they don't need to abide by the regulation.

The council at first used common sense in indicating it would not 
repeat last year's mistake of allowing marijuana smoking at the 
weekend pro-medical marijuana WAMMfest at San Lorenzo Park.

What happened, of course, was not only those who had medical 
permission to smoke pot toked up at the festival.

But, after some pressure from the medical pot folks and at least one 
council member who supported relaxing the prohibition, the council 
caved and gave the go-ahead.

We've supported the use of medical marijuana for people who have 
illnesses that doctors believe can benefit from use of the drug. But 
we still fail to see why patients could not smoke pot before 
attending the WAMMfest. We also wonder about the message the council 
is sending to young people and to people who smoke substances less PC than pot.

But, marijuana has long been the drug of choice for many Santa Cruz 
residents, and the council read the smoke signals.

The WAMMfest is not the only law enforcement situation making news in 
Santa Cruz. This week, police avoided another confrontation with a 
group that gathers in a drum circle at the weekly farmers market. The 
drummers, with a unique talent for annoying sellers and shoppers 
alike, have been accused of engaging in illegal activities, including 
smoking pot, drinking booze and urinating in public, selling drugs, etc.

When cops tried to police the market last week, about 100 protesters 
showed up, a confrontation ensued and two men were arrested. This 
week's market scene was decidedly lower key.

Santa Cruz police, already operating in a city that says enforcing 
marijuana laws are a low priority, were again in a no-win situation, 
trying to find their way through the often murky smoke of 
ultra-tolerance and situational regulations that make Santa Cruz ... 
Santa Cruz. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake