Organizers of a New Year’s Eve celebration known as the Medicine Ball may be facing a cold lang syne.
They’ve been planning their medical-marijuana themed party for several months, and part of that plan – which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever been to any kind of NYE bash – was to serve alcohol at the event. However, just days before the party, with those in charge claiming discrimination, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has refused them a permit because of the nature of the event.
According to the folks running the party, a representative from the Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) informed them that because illegal drugs would be sold and used at the event, alcohol would not be permitted. The same people also maintain that ABC is failing to recognize their rights to use medical marijuana, as established by California proposition 215, and that they are in compliance with the law.
Even so, said Joseph Munday, event organizer, to the press last Friday evening, the first-ever Medicine Ball will take place. “This event will go on tents are being set up as we speak and this event will go. We may not have alcohol [to serve] but that isn’t going to keep people from bringing it.”
A Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control representative said that the organization is looking into the matter, and is withholding comment until the case has been reviewed, but they did say that being granted a permit to serve alcohol is a lengthy and complicated process with approval required from numerous public officials.
The Medicine Ball organizers are emphatic that they followed the board’s directions and met all of its requests.
The Medicine Ball will be held Friday at Gover Ranch and starts at 6 pm.
