Commissioners say cannabis rally was against policy

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – Tippecanoe County commissioners say last week’s cannabis legalization rally on courthouse grounds was against policy.

County attorney Doug Masson says rally organizers contacted the city of Lafayette to ask permission first. But when the city referred them to the county, some county officials thought it was already approved. So the group set up outside the courthouse with little instruction.

The county received several complaints from neighboring businesses and people inside the courthouse. Masson says he brought up the miscommunication at the commissioners meeting Monday so it wouldn’t happen again.

“We need to be clear and consistent, we made a mistake here but that doesn’t mean that you can never have this policy again,” Masson said. “You just have to be consistent and acknowledge your mistake.”

County policy says you are not supposed to have displays or events on the courthouse grounds unless they are first approved by the county. If you want to host an event, you have to get sponsorship from one of the commissioners.

Typically, events and displays at the courthouse have to do with a function of government. There are also requirements such as no noise and insurance so you don’t enhance the county’s liability if something were to go wrong.