Pubdate: Tue, 28 Aug 2012
Source: Portland Daily Sun (ME)
Copyright: 2012 The Portland Daily Sun
Contact:  http://portlanddailysun.me/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5257
Author: David Carkhuff

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FESTIVAL WINS CITY'S FIRST AMENDMENT EXEMPTION

There was a time when it didn't look like enough donors would step 
forward for Charlie Wynott to meet the city's financial requirements 
to use Deering Oaks Park for Saturday's Atlantic CannaFEST. The 
educational medical marijuana event is being run on a shoestring budget.

"They were asking for a deposit and insurance and whatnot," Wynott recalled.

Then, inspiration struck.

"We were actually given the idea through Occupy Maine for the free 
speech and right to occupy public space amendment to the city code," 
said the patient and founder of the organization, Atlantic Cannabis, 
a nonprofit that helps low income and terminal patients to access 
medical marijuana.

Atlantic Cannabis Incorporated, a registered Maine nonprofit, applied 
to the city and asked for a waiver of fees.

"If it's considered free speech and falls under the First Amendment, 
most of the fees don't apply," said city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg.

Permit fees don't apply because the city defers to the First 
Amendment, which guarantees the right to assembly.

"If it's a small contained event, we just ask that they fill out a 
permit so we know that the event is taking place," Clegg said.

Organizers were looking for a sponsor to help cover the event 
insurance and rent for the venue. According to Wynott, the city would 
have charged $500 for use of the park, and event insurance of $300.

About a year in the planning, Atlantic CannaFEST will seek to connect 
patients with caregivers, with a focus on affordability.

The goal, Wynott said, is "advocacy and trying to hook the patients 
up with caregivers. We want to encourage our patients to connect with 
caregivers so they can get their medicine at a lower price than what 
the dispensaries are offering."

Wynott said he worked "on the original task force for the state of 
Maine prior to the original bill being passed" that legalized medical 
marijuana. Since the introduction of medical marijuana, depensaries 
have emerged, including Portland's state-licensed nonprofit medical 
cannabis dispensary, run by Wellness Connection of Maine at 685 
Congress St., just behind Local 188. Wellness Connection doesn't plan 
to exhibit at Atlantic CannaFEST but may participate in future 
events, according to Executive Director Rebecca DeKeuster.

Wynott said the event will be family friendly, with no gates or fees.

"Children are more than welcome to attend, the park is open to the 
general public so we can't restrict admission," he said.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 
p.m., with live entertainment and guest speakers. Highlights of the 
festival include a keynote speech by Green Party presidential 
candidate Jill Stein.

For more information on Atlantic CannaFEST, visit www.cannafest.webs.com
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom