Tuesday evening’s (June 16th) Danville City Council meeting included a dispute between a business owner and the city itself as far as what exactly was the problem leading up to the Pride Fest event this past Sunday (June 14th). One of the top sponsors was the Seven Point Cannabis Dispensary along the west side of Lynch Road at 380 Eastgate Drive. CEO Brad Zerman told CIMG they donated to the Vermilion County Pride Coalition $2,500 to be a major sponsor.
Zerman also said that with approval of the proposed patio area for the Seven Point Consumption Lounge still in limbo, the last thing he wanted was a major battle with the city. But in Zerman’s eyes, it was the city that wanted a major battle with him. He told an employee to let the city know they would be selling hemp beverages at the event, and that seemed to be okay. But then, Zerman says, the city began harassing his attorney with e-mails about following state rules about no cannabis products being sold in certain places, such as city parks like Ellsworth, where the event was scheduled.
Zerman has told CIMG that Seven Point knew about that, and certainly did not need the city telling them about state regulations. He says Seven Point has their own attorney, and they listen to what they say, not the city.
AUDIO: The mayor is using the city’s attorney as his personal attorney to intimidate me, so that we back out of events that are public facing. (And you don’t plan on doing that.) No. We’re here. We’re a legal company. We can market ourselves wherever we want to. It’s not the city’s job to enforce state statutes.
(1st Picture) Seven Point CEO Brad Zerman. (2nd Picture) Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. (3rd Picture) Corporation Council Leon Parker (back); Aldermen Doug Ahrens and Jon Cooper (front).
Both Danville Corporation Council Leon Parker and Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr told CIMG that the way they saw the state statute, Seven Point being a cannabis oriented business to begin with was in fact a problem.
AUDIO: (Parker) Advertisement or promotion of cannabis in various areas within 1,000 feet; one of those areas is a state park, and that’s where Pride Fest was being held. (Williams) He’s just making a big deal because he was required to follow the law.
Zerman, along with Alderman Jon Cooper, pointed out that another dispensary was there and was openly promoting their cannabis products. Parker said he was unaware the other dispensary was attending; and Alderman Jon Cooper said afterwards, that didn’t look right.
Zerman stated that the Pride Fest event itself went very well, and they were able to promote their business name; while also being very much aware that underage kids were at the event.
