Did You Know...

The anti-tobacco zealots have succeeded in passing smoking bans all across the country — arguing that private businesses and individuals should be denied the freedom to light up because of the terrible externalities imposed on others by secondhand smoke.

In Santa Cruz, the Lefties have made an exception. Not all smoke is equal, dudes. If it’s emanating from the end of a marijuana joint, the externalities argument crumbles with the ashes:

The smoking ban in city parks could be lifted for the second time since it passed three years ago, as city leaders are considering allowing medical marijuana patients to light up during a festival at San Lorenzo Park at the end of the month.

“It’s not like a recreational marijuana event,” said Councilman Mike Rotkin, who supports the temporary lifting of the city’s 3-year-old ordinance that bans smoking in parks.

“It’s not a smoke-in, it’s not like the 4/20 thing up on campus,” Rotkin said.

That April 20 event attracts thousands of people to Porter Meadow at UC Santa Cruz each spring to celebrate the so-called 4/20 cannabis culture holiday.

Instead, the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana would like the ban lifted so its 200 members can self-medicate while they enjoy the organization’s annual festival. Wammfest, a medical marijuana, hemp and music festival, is scheduled for Sept. 27.

“As patients, its really important to have access to the medicine in the most indiscreet and reasonable fashion,” said Valerie Corrall, co-founder of WAMM.

The item will be considered on the City Council’s consent agenda today. The council unanimously approved a similar temporary suspension of the smoking ban for last year’s event.

Ahem:

A closed tent will be available at the festival for those who need to administer their prescription drugs, and no pot will be for sale or distributed, Rotkin said.

However, Sentinel reports from last year’s festival showed that many participants did get stoned on the lawn, and some drove in from out of town for what they considered a recreational event by the river.

Perhaps, some residents should be prepared to sue the city for health damages when the pot smoke wafts their way this year.

These hypocritical health police could use a dose of their own medicine.

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Commenter vickisoup: “I live in SC County and work downtown. There will be no way to distinguish this day from any other day, other than perhaps a few more people. The park is ALWAYS full of people getting stoned on the lawn.”