Police Shakedown on Beach Patty Man and Jerk Pork Man

[Rob]

Its the honest people paying the price for a law that also seeks control for the Government on the beach when the sale of ganga has been figured out. Just saying there is always a bigger picture. A vendor is a vendor. These honest vendors are as much part of the beach as the sun and sand. 2 cents...........

The sale of ganja by "vendors" on the beach is illegal. This is still in the process of being figured out. Ganja has been decriminalized, not legalized. Less than 2 ounces is a fine, over 2 ounces or distribution, transport or sale is a fine trip to the local jail...

[Accompong]

The sale of ganja by "vendors" on the beach is illegal. This is still in the process of being figured out. Ganja has been decriminalized, not legalized. Less than 2 ounces is a fine, over 2 ounces or distribution, transport or sale is a fine trip to the local jail...

Hi Rob. I am just guessing but she did say "when" so I think she feels it is a preliminary step to a government takeover of the ganja trade "when" it eventually becomes legal..
I am more questioning the logic behind the "Just saying there is always a bigger picture. A vendor is a vendor. These honest vendors are as much part of the beach as the sun and sand. 2 cents".

It is true that there is always a bigger picture. Often a thought out in advance agenda but a vendor is not always a vendor. An illegal, unlicensed vendor is a "higgler" and a legal, licensed vendor is a vendor. As good and honest as Norman and Dean seem and probably are, they are not in compliance of the law designed to regulate vendor sales and are thus "higglers". Honest, licensed vendors are a welcomed part of the beach as are the sun and sand. Until you start to eliminate illegal activities, selective enforcement of compliance laws is problematic. Stopping an obnoxious, unlicensed bracelet selling higgler but allowing an honest, unlicensed patty seller is still just selective enforcement.

Go down to Barnett Street in MoBay and try to get into a licensed, rent paying shop and not have to step over unlicensed, non paying "higglers" blocking the door area and the sidewalk. That is what eventually happens when you tacitly allow non-compliance to grow and flourish without enforcing the laws.

It will take a little time to make the licensing laws work to the general acceptance of all parties involved and some accommodations will have to be met to include some non-traditional forms of vending. In the long run it is in everyone's best interest to see this happen.

my 2 cents.