T
The420Guy
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May 27,00
By Dan Scanlan
Source: Florida Times-Union
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A medical marijuana rights group sought an emergency injunction against Jacksonville yesterday, claiming its rights are being violated by being told to pay for city services it claims it doesn't need at a public event next month.
The Florida Cannabis Action Network, which promotes marijuana for medical use, successfully sued Jacksonville twice before over its right to gather petition signatures outside city voting precincts.
This time, the group says the city is discriminating by forcing it to pay for an insurance policy and $4,000 in city services to host the Jacksonville Hempfest on June 17 at Metropolitan Park.
The group is seeking an injunction in U.S. District Court. No hearing has been scheduled.
Group vice president Scott Bledsoe said the city ordinance on festival permits leaves too much discretion in the hands of city officials, who have waived fees for other groups.
"It is a peaceful, political event, and by requiring us to do that, any citizen could not do free-speech events," Bledsoe said. "The ordinance allows for the city to grant exemptions, based on whether they like them or not."
City Assistant General Counsel Michael Wedner said he and group representatives "have been trying to reach agreement, but we have some legal differences."
The group and Floridians for Medical Rights want to get a consitutitional amendment proposal on the 2002 state ballot to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The groups say they have collected about 45,000 of the 435,000 signatures needed.
© The Florida Times-Union
By Dan Scanlan
Source: Florida Times-Union
****
A medical marijuana rights group sought an emergency injunction against Jacksonville yesterday, claiming its rights are being violated by being told to pay for city services it claims it doesn't need at a public event next month.
The Florida Cannabis Action Network, which promotes marijuana for medical use, successfully sued Jacksonville twice before over its right to gather petition signatures outside city voting precincts.
This time, the group says the city is discriminating by forcing it to pay for an insurance policy and $4,000 in city services to host the Jacksonville Hempfest on June 17 at Metropolitan Park.
The group is seeking an injunction in U.S. District Court. No hearing has been scheduled.
Group vice president Scott Bledsoe said the city ordinance on festival permits leaves too much discretion in the hands of city officials, who have waived fees for other groups.
"It is a peaceful, political event, and by requiring us to do that, any citizen could not do free-speech events," Bledsoe said. "The ordinance allows for the city to grant exemptions, based on whether they like them or not."
City Assistant General Counsel Michael Wedner said he and group representatives "have been trying to reach agreement, but we have some legal differences."
The group and Floridians for Medical Rights want to get a consitutitional amendment proposal on the 2002 state ballot to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The groups say they have collected about 45,000 of the 435,000 signatures needed.
© The Florida Times-Union
