cannabisnews.com: As We See It: Be Consistent on Pot Smoking Ban As We See It: Be Consistent on Pot Smoking Ban Posted by CN Staff on September 19, 2008 at 05:44:34 PT Editorial Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz, CA -- Should medical marijuana advocates be permitted to light up at their annual festival later this month? The Santa Cruz City Council, so far, says no and we agree. Here's the reasons why.First, however, the obligatory disclaimer: the Sentinel, along with the council, has supported the use of medical marijuana for people who need the drug to help them cope with medical issues. We also have consistently voiced concerns -- rooted in common sense and personal observations -- that everyday tokers have taken advantage of city policies allowing the limited cultivation and use of medical marijuana to further their own drug use. For example, police raided a medical marijuana advocacy office in downtown Santa Cruz and arrested its founder on suspicion of selling pot. And even in a city that has directed police to make marijuana enforcement its lowest priority, smoking pot is illegal without a prescription.But that brings us to the WAMM Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana Festival scheduled for Sept. 27 in San Lorenzo Park. Last year, the council passed a temporary suspension of the city's ordinance against smoking in public parks -- a move at the time we said created a bad precedent. What, for instance, would stop a pro-cigarette smoking group from seeking a similar suspension if people wanted to light up in a park?Since the council previously had decided the local citizenry needed such a ban, we think they should stick to it.WAMM organizers have countered that people need to take their medicine, which is legal.But, again, if a medical marijuana patient, who has a prescription for the drug, needs to be medicated for the WAMM event, why can't he or she use the drug before coming, or by another means besides smoking?At last year's event, Sentinel reporters found that people were coming from out of town to attend the WAMMfest, and that others ignored the festival's tent set up for medical marijuana patients who couldn't wait to take a hit. Instead, people openly smoked pot on the lawn.The council is to consider the issue again next Tuesday, and could change its 3-3 vote to again suspend the smoking ban. Pro-medical pot advocates will certainly lobby hard to persuade council members to again suspend the ban.But one council member who voted last year to lift the ban has said he will be absent Tuesday, thus raising the possibility the current tie won't change and pot smoking won't be permitted.If the city is serious about its smoking ban in parks, the council should be consistent and not change its previous vote. Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Published: September 19, 2008Copyright: 2008 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles & Web Site:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/WAMMfest Facing Major Downer http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24162.shtmlCouncil Could Lift Smoking Ban for Pot Festhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24156.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on September 19, 2008 at 09:16:27 PT Yeah Right! Be 'Consistent' ... Does the staff of the Santa Cruz Sentinel have any idea how many Americans are killed by cigarettes, EVERY YEAR (that includes my father and 4 of his brothers, my uncles)!The number is: 435,000 for Tobacco and this was in the year 2000, here are some other death statistics:Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000 Alcohol 85,000 2nd Hand Cigarette Smoke 38,053 Aspirin 2,029 Caffeine 511 Water 15 Marijuana 0 As we can see Marijuana 0 and just to show exactly how lethal cigarette smoke is (ingredients are secret, but it has been proven scientifically that nicotine is more addictive than heroin!) we can see from 2nd hand (cigarette) smoke is responsible for at least 38,000 deaths, most of them infants and children I can imagine.And this is being 'consistent?'When policies and laws are based on propaganda instead of science, special interests are rewarded at the expense of we the people. On a mission from God! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by museman on September 19, 2008 at 08:24:06 PT don't need no 'boat rockers' Don't want to publicly admit anything that is not on the status quo roster of politically correct 'opinions.'Don't want to rely on information that does not have the feds, and hence the bankers guilded stamp of approval.Wouldn't want to do INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING, and actually find out the truth, and in finding actually REPORT it!At this point I believe journalism is the gateway to harder, more potent bullshit.Another 'professional' candidate for the scrap heap.Plattitudinal blah blah, political ass-kissing, preaching their economic religion without a license, - perfect example of Amerikan double-speak; say that you are 'for' medical marijuana, in one sentence, then wrap an entire article around it, supporting false information, propaganda, and fueling the common ignorance. And they call that 'journalism?'FREE MARIHUANA FOR EVERYONE [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Storm Crow on September 19, 2008 at 06:28:23 PT First off....... "smoking pot is illegal without a prescription."When are these fools going to learn that it is a RECOMMENDATION, not a prescription?Secondly- "What, for instance, would stop a pro-cigarette smoking group from seeking a similar suspension if people wanted to light up in a park?"Well, for a start tobacco is a noxious poison, not a medicine! BIG difference! "But, again, if a medical marijuana patient, who has a prescription for the drug, needs to be medicated for the WAMM event, why can't he or she use the drug before coming, or by another means besides smoking?"So he want us to DRIVE there under the influence rather than wait? Oh, the cops will love that! Promoting DUI!And the event would be half over before any edibles would fully cut in! Are we supposed to patiently wait in pain while our edibles take effect? HE OUGHT TO TRY IT. Just another prohib fool! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment