cannabisnews.com: As We See It: What Happens in Santa Cruz ... As We See It: What Happens in Santa Cruz ... Posted by CN Staff on September 26, 2008 at 10:24:25 PT Editorial Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz, CA -- 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. Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Published: September 26, 2008Copyright: 2008 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles & Web Site:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/ Council OKs Smoking Pot in WAMM Tenthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24184.shtmlBe Consistent on Pot Smoking Banhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24173.shtmlWAMMfest Facing Major Downerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24162.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on September 27, 2008 at 19:46:27 PT oh yea ... I'm gonna get some bumper stickers that say ...You elected them, now see what you gonna get! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by scannabis on September 27, 2008 at 11:31:02 PT: smoking in public is wrong kids are impressionable. monkey's see, then they do, then they learn. smoking is crude combustion of plant matter. a dose of marijuana for the very ill is sure to exceed what can be feasibly smoked, or even vaporized. This posters opinion is that until people kids have a firm understanding of what medicine is, and how to respect it, it is better not to throw them mixed signals. smoke in private/seclusion/away-from-young-eyes. more so with cigarettes, which cannot even be considered medicine. now, where did i put my joint? Scannabis - Serving up cannabis news and reports [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 27, 2008 at 09:38:16 PT Dankhank This video said plenty to me.Sarah Palin Discusses Russia With Katie Courichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk8moOxzlGQ [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dankhank on September 27, 2008 at 08:55:44 PT OT ... sarah P in her element http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YYplAoEdDs44 sec.there's some other stuff, too ...:-) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Storm Crow on September 26, 2008 at 14:57:16 PT As for this question......... "But we still fail to see why patients could not smoke pot before attending the WAMMfest."It's called DUI and law enforcement tends to frown on it!As my late father used to say, "Idiots doth abound!" [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on September 26, 2008 at 10:41:05 PT Boycott the Santa Cruz Sentinel! They are idiots! 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 ] Post Comment