Pubdate: Tue, 29 Mar 2005
Source: Baraboo Republic (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Independent Media Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wiscnews.com/bnr/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1002
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/weedstock (Weedstock)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom