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There was a time when it didn't look like enough donors would step forward for Charlie Wynott to meet the city's financial requirements to use Deering Oaks Park for Saturday's Atlantic CannaFEST. The educational medical marijuana event is being run on a shoestring budget.
"They were asking for a deposit and insurance and whatnot," Wynott recalled.
Then, inspiration struck.
"We were actually given the idea through Occupy Maine for the free speech and right to occupy public space amendment to the city code," said the patient and founder of the organization, Atlantic Cannabis, a nonprofit that helps low income and terminal patients to access medical marijuana.
Atlantic Cannabis Incorporated, a registered Maine nonprofit, applied to the city and asked for a waiver of fees.
"If it's considered free speech and falls under the First Amendment, most of the fees don't apply," said city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg.
Permit fees don't apply because the city defers to the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to assembly.
"If it's a small contained event, we just ask that they fill out a permit so we know that the event is taking place," Clegg said.
Organizers were looking for a sponsor to help cover the event insurance and rent for the venue. According to Wynott, the city would have charged $500 for use of the park, and event insurance of $300.
About a year in the planning, Atlantic CannaFEST will seek to connect patients with caregivers, with a focus on affordability.
The goal, Wynott said, is "advocacy and trying to hook the patients up with caregivers. We want to encourage our patients to connect with caregivers so they can get their medicine at a lower price than what the dispensaries are offering."
Wynott said he worked "on the original task force for the state of Maine prior to the original bill being passed" that legalized medical marijuana. Since the introduction of medical marijuana, depensaries have emerged, including Portland's state-licensed nonprofit medical cannabis dispensary, run by Wellness Connection of Maine at 685 Congress St., just behind Local 188. Wellness Connection doesn't plan to exhibit at Atlantic CannaFEST but may participate in future events, according to Executive Director Rebecca DeKeuster.
Wynott said the event will be family friendly, with no gates or fees.
"Children are more than welcome to attend, the park is open to the general public so we can't restrict admission," he said.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with live entertainment and guest speakers. Highlights of the festival include a keynote speech by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: portlanddailysun.me
Author: David Carkhuff
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Medical marijuana festival wins city's First Amendment exemption
"They were asking for a deposit and insurance and whatnot," Wynott recalled.
Then, inspiration struck.
"We were actually given the idea through Occupy Maine for the free speech and right to occupy public space amendment to the city code," said the patient and founder of the organization, Atlantic Cannabis, a nonprofit that helps low income and terminal patients to access medical marijuana.
Atlantic Cannabis Incorporated, a registered Maine nonprofit, applied to the city and asked for a waiver of fees.
"If it's considered free speech and falls under the First Amendment, most of the fees don't apply," said city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg.
Permit fees don't apply because the city defers to the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to assembly.
"If it's a small contained event, we just ask that they fill out a permit so we know that the event is taking place," Clegg said.
Organizers were looking for a sponsor to help cover the event insurance and rent for the venue. According to Wynott, the city would have charged $500 for use of the park, and event insurance of $300.
About a year in the planning, Atlantic CannaFEST will seek to connect patients with caregivers, with a focus on affordability.
The goal, Wynott said, is "advocacy and trying to hook the patients up with caregivers. We want to encourage our patients to connect with caregivers so they can get their medicine at a lower price than what the dispensaries are offering."
Wynott said he worked "on the original task force for the state of Maine prior to the original bill being passed" that legalized medical marijuana. Since the introduction of medical marijuana, depensaries have emerged, including Portland's state-licensed nonprofit medical cannabis dispensary, run by Wellness Connection of Maine at 685 Congress St., just behind Local 188. Wellness Connection doesn't plan to exhibit at Atlantic CannaFEST but may participate in future events, according to Executive Director Rebecca DeKeuster.
Wynott said the event will be family friendly, with no gates or fees.
"Children are more than welcome to attend, the park is open to the general public so we can't restrict admission," he said.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with live entertainment and guest speakers. Highlights of the festival include a keynote speech by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: portlanddailysun.me
Author: David Carkhuff
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Medical marijuana festival wins city's First Amendment exemption
