News (Media Awareness Project) - US WI: County, Organizer To Strike Weedstock Deal |
| Title: | US WI: County, Organizer To Strike Weedstock Deal |
| Published On: | 2005-03-29 |
| Source: | Baraboo Republic (WI) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-16 19:25:55 |
COUNTY, ORGANIZER TO STRIKE WEEDSTOCK DEAL
A tussle over a pro-pot festival could be resolved "sooner rather than
later," Sauk County's attorney said Tuesday.
The issue began in May of 2000 when Sauk County sheriff's deputies backed
by police officers from around the area ended the annual "Weedstock"
festival of music, political speeches and marijuana advocacy just as it
began on a field east of Baraboo. They were acting to enforce the county
open air assembly ordinance, which had been recently updated by the Sauk
County Board.
Event organizer and marijuana-legalization advocate Ben Masel refused to
obtain a permit for the event, arguing that provisions in the ordinance
restricted freedom of speech and assembly of Weedstock participants. He
initially faced charges of resisting officers after he tried to order them
off the property. He leased the property from local farmer Marcus Gumz.
The misdemeanor criminal charges and a civil case were dismissed after the
Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled the ordinance was unconstitutional in July
of 2003.
Once the ordinance was found to be defective, Masel's attorney, Jeff Scott
Olson of Madison, said the primary issue became what damages should Sauk
County pay for shutting down the event.
On Tuesday both parties made statements indicating they could reach a
resolution soon, but no one gave specifics.
"I expect it will be resolved shortly," Masel said. "We kind of just wore
them out by endurance."
Sauk County Corporation Counsel Todd Liebman indicated some sort of
tentative agreement had been reached, but said he could not even discuss
the appeals court's recent decision involving a side issues in the case.
"Hopefully, this particular litigation will be resolved sooner rather than
later," he said.
Masel said once the parties reach an agreement he will feel his rights to
freedom of assembly have been vindicated.
He said Weedstock will not return to the field on Highway U and the
festival will not be on Memorial Day as it was in the past.
"I really haven't started working yet," said Masel.
A tussle over a pro-pot festival could be resolved "sooner rather than
later," Sauk County's attorney said Tuesday.
The issue began in May of 2000 when Sauk County sheriff's deputies backed
by police officers from around the area ended the annual "Weedstock"
festival of music, political speeches and marijuana advocacy just as it
began on a field east of Baraboo. They were acting to enforce the county
open air assembly ordinance, which had been recently updated by the Sauk
County Board.
Event organizer and marijuana-legalization advocate Ben Masel refused to
obtain a permit for the event, arguing that provisions in the ordinance
restricted freedom of speech and assembly of Weedstock participants. He
initially faced charges of resisting officers after he tried to order them
off the property. He leased the property from local farmer Marcus Gumz.
The misdemeanor criminal charges and a civil case were dismissed after the
Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled the ordinance was unconstitutional in July
of 2003.
Once the ordinance was found to be defective, Masel's attorney, Jeff Scott
Olson of Madison, said the primary issue became what damages should Sauk
County pay for shutting down the event.
On Tuesday both parties made statements indicating they could reach a
resolution soon, but no one gave specifics.
"I expect it will be resolved shortly," Masel said. "We kind of just wore
them out by endurance."
Sauk County Corporation Counsel Todd Liebman indicated some sort of
tentative agreement had been reached, but said he could not even discuss
the appeals court's recent decision involving a side issues in the case.
"Hopefully, this particular litigation will be resolved sooner rather than
later," he said.
Masel said once the parties reach an agreement he will feel his rights to
freedom of assembly have been vindicated.
He said Weedstock will not return to the field on Highway U and the
festival will not be on Memorial Day as it was in the past.
"I really haven't started working yet," said Masel.
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