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.