ACTIVIST MASEL UNHAPPY WITH PERMIT

Marijuana booster Ben Masel got part of what he wanted from Madison
city officials Wednesday, but he won't be allowed to hold a rally
during a parade by visiting dignitaries this summer.

The Street Use Staff Team granted part of Masel's request for a rally
permit during the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Masel - who leads the group weedstock.com, which supports free speech
and the legalization of marijuana - said he's not satisfied and plans
to appeal to the City Council or circuit court, if necessary.

Kelli Lamberty, the city's community events coordinator, said the
permit was approved for the 100 block of Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 14-15. Masel wanted the 100 and
200 blocks until 10 p.m.

Lamberty said the 200 block, which includes the City-County Building,
"is not available for street use permits for the duration of the
mayor's conference."

Masel's permit ends more than an hour before a procession of mayors
from a Capitol reception to a party on the Monona Terrace rooftop
June 15.

Masel's event would include speakers and bands, and would address
governmental drug policies as well as other issues. He said it's
important to extend the permit to the 200 block.

"The point isn't to have the mayors see that there's an indefinable
gray blob out there, but so they can read signs and hear speeches,"
he said.