[palmspringsbum]

I'm trying to get on the ballot for city council for Santa Cruz.

I need a minimum of 20 and can turn in no more than 30 signatures to qualify. The election is for City Councilmember of The City of Santa Cruz, California this November 4th.

I don't intend to raise or spend any money, but do hope to be a voice for medical marijuana patients, the poor and disabled, rent control and that constellation of issues.

One of the reasons I decided to try to get on the ballot is there are 1,000 units of emergency and transitional housing in Santa Cruz and not one for medical marijuana patients.

I intend to be on the corner of Pacific and Cooper, around O'Neils, every afternoon about 4:20 until I get enough signatures to qualify. I currently have 18 signatures, about 4 of which I think are probably invalid. I can collect twelve more and need them to be residents registered to vote in the upcoming election for City Councilmember in Santa Cruz, California.

4 of 7 seats will be voted on in this election. And two incumbents have exhausted their terms, so there will be at least two new members on the board.

See: We need more C.O.P.P.S for a brief summary of why I'm trying to get on the ballot.

The deadline for submitting the materials to qualify to be placed on the ballot is August 8. I hope to have everything together by the 5th.

Also see my AboutMe page: http://www.palmspringsbum.org/aboutme.html

[palmspringsbum]

I turned in the papers to run this morning and got the call about an hour ago that the signatures qualified and I will be on the ballot for city council member in Santa Cruz this November 4, 2008. It is a 4-year term. 4 seats are open and 2 incumbents have exhausted their term limits and their seats will be open and up for grabs in this election.

[flylightly]

just thought id let you know psb that when I get home from NY I plan on going to my city hall and grabbing an application for city council myself. You have inspired me good sir.

[palmspringsbum]

Thanks,

Here's a link for the announcement in The Sentinel. I'm J. Craig Canada.

When I read your message I found myself thinking that part of what inspires me was being able to go to The Club (The San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club) on more-or-less a daily basis and see, over time, the healing that took place. And to become, over time, part of a vibrant and powerful community.

It's been over ten years now since I've had that.

It's something everyone should have before they die.

I intend to make the restrictions The City of Santa Cruz (aka Compassion Central, U.S.A.) has placed on their drug-stores one of my issues; as far as I am concerned they have turned our Clubs into their Drug Dealers.

The City of Santa Cruz has demanded that dispensaries prohibit smoking at the clubs. Further, they have forced the dispensaries to sign an agreement holding them responsible if one of their clients medicates in public, with the power to revoke their license over this. This policy is crap and should be tossed in the trash. Along with the thinking that produced it.

The California Supreme Court has declared medical use is exempt from the Controlled Substances Act. I intend to defend the right of medical patients to peaceably assemble. And this includes medicating in public. Medical patients need to go places and do things. Many, if not most, have difficulty getting around. And many, if not most, of these must use public transportation. They have to buy groceries, and go to the doctor, and have dinner out or go to a movie. And they need to medicate to do this.