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Medical marijuana activist Kevin Saunders is a fixture at Marina City Council meetings, using his three minutes of public-comment time to repeatedly urge the council to allow medical marijuana dispensaries.
Saunders, who makes no secret that he grows medical marijuana for several clients at various locations, keeps hitting a brick wall.
It was no different Tuesday, except Saunders became especially worked up and began aiming vitriol at Police Chief Eddie Rodriguez. Saunders accused the police chief of disproportionately arresting Latinos and blacks, and said his officers could pick up "the next Cesar Chavez."
As the volume and personal attacks mounted, Mayor Pro Tem Frank O'Connell ordered Saunders escorted from the council chambers. As three police officers approached, Saunders yelled at them not to touch him.
"I've been going six months in a row and only missed one meeting," Saunders said Thursday.
A few weeks ago, Saunders said he received a cease-and-desist letter from the city advising him of possible legal sanctions if he violated the city's ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. The letter came shortly after the state Supreme Court upheld local bans on medical marijuana outlets, which are in effect in every jurisdiction in Monterey County.
Saunders, a law student, has a rejoinder for that. He says his Coasterdam Cannabis Collective is a group of medical marijuana growers, not a dispensary. If a client is too ill or can't drive to pick up his medicine, Saunders said he will deliver.
Assistant City Attorney Deborah Mall said the communique from police was not a cease-and-desist letter but simply a warning letter.
She said Saunders has made no secret of his activity – though she said she didn't believe police have actual evidence he is distributing marijuana – and the letter was just a warning the city ban on medical marijuana dispensaries remains.
She said the distinction Saunders draws between a dispensary and collective wouldn't make a difference.
"They still would be distributing it," she said.
Saunders said, "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Saunders said he believes he's generated more community support over the past several months, but he doesn't think the council will lift the dispensary ban. He said he plans to run for mayor in 2014.
Rodriguez said the city has been patient with Saunders, but after the Supreme Court ruling, "the letter was sent to put him on notice ... that cities have the right to provide this type of regulation."
The police chief said the warning letter appeared to make Saunders target him personally.
"He was angry, and quite frankly, it was unnessary," he said. "He should stick to the issue and not punch below the belt."
Rodriguez said if Saunders fails to comply with the dispensary ban, "we'll wait and see and take whatever action it takes ... to bring him into compliance."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: montereyherald.com
Author: Larry Parsons
Website: Monterey Herald
Saunders, who makes no secret that he grows medical marijuana for several clients at various locations, keeps hitting a brick wall.
It was no different Tuesday, except Saunders became especially worked up and began aiming vitriol at Police Chief Eddie Rodriguez. Saunders accused the police chief of disproportionately arresting Latinos and blacks, and said his officers could pick up "the next Cesar Chavez."
As the volume and personal attacks mounted, Mayor Pro Tem Frank O'Connell ordered Saunders escorted from the council chambers. As three police officers approached, Saunders yelled at them not to touch him.
"I've been going six months in a row and only missed one meeting," Saunders said Thursday.
A few weeks ago, Saunders said he received a cease-and-desist letter from the city advising him of possible legal sanctions if he violated the city's ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. The letter came shortly after the state Supreme Court upheld local bans on medical marijuana outlets, which are in effect in every jurisdiction in Monterey County.
Saunders, a law student, has a rejoinder for that. He says his Coasterdam Cannabis Collective is a group of medical marijuana growers, not a dispensary. If a client is too ill or can't drive to pick up his medicine, Saunders said he will deliver.
Assistant City Attorney Deborah Mall said the communique from police was not a cease-and-desist letter but simply a warning letter.
She said Saunders has made no secret of his activity – though she said she didn't believe police have actual evidence he is distributing marijuana – and the letter was just a warning the city ban on medical marijuana dispensaries remains.
She said the distinction Saunders draws between a dispensary and collective wouldn't make a difference.
"They still would be distributing it," she said.
Saunders said, "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Saunders said he believes he's generated more community support over the past several months, but he doesn't think the council will lift the dispensary ban. He said he plans to run for mayor in 2014.
Rodriguez said the city has been patient with Saunders, but after the Supreme Court ruling, "the letter was sent to put him on notice ... that cities have the right to provide this type of regulation."
The police chief said the warning letter appeared to make Saunders target him personally.
"He was angry, and quite frankly, it was unnessary," he said. "He should stick to the issue and not punch below the belt."
Rodriguez said if Saunders fails to comply with the dispensary ban, "we'll wait and see and take whatever action it takes ... to bring him into compliance."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: montereyherald.com
Author: Larry Parsons
Website: Monterey Herald
Need a proofreader? I am not being mean, I am serious. 
