Smokin' Fast: Domestic Team Promotes Medical Marijuana Clinic by Kathie Reid Velo News Vol. 36/ No. 8 May 14, 2007When 17 year old Logan Loader rolled up to the start line of the Sea Otter Classic circuit race, he noticed two spectators eyeing his team kit. He assumed the team logo drew their attention, and he was right. Pointing to the red medical Cross with a marijuana leaf in the center, one asked, "So what's that all about? Does everybody on the team smoke pot?""Absolutely not," Loader responded good naturedly.The only junior member of the BPG-Montano Velo team then launched into the squad's standard speech. He explained the team's title sponsor, Berkeley Patients Group, is a medical cannabis clinic, based in Berkeley, California. The teams mostly Cat. I and Cat. II racers, he added are proponents of BPG's mission to provide sick people with safe, affordable access to medical cannabis, but does not resemble Cheech or Chong.That Little LeafBPG took over title sponsorship of the team that was created in 2001 by Martin Thompson and Matt Willinger. Thompson owned RH Villa, a resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, that previously sponsored the team, and Willinger was a Cat. V.When BPG director Etienne Fontan indicated his interest in the title sponsorship, riders were nervous. "People were definitely afraid, they're afraid of that little leaf," Fontan said. Cannabis use is still considered illegal by the federal government; however, in 1996 Califonina voters passed Proposition 215 that makes an exemption for medical purposes. But the fear disappeared once the riders learned about the clinic and got to know Fontan, a 37 year old Gulf War veteran racing in his first year as a Cat. IV.Willinger, now a Cat.1 and team assistant manager, explained that the riders didn't disagree with the concept of medical cannabis. "The only concern was we'd scare away other sponsorship," he said."If potential sponsors don't agree with some of the principles that we feel are correct and good for society," Willinger explained, "then we don't want them as a sponsor."This season the "pot team" has already scored some results, including a sixth place overall finish by Brian Buchholz at the Central Valley Classic NRC event. But the team has remained true to its roots as a positive social force. Rob Evans, a business analyst for Apple, said that BPG's main attraction is the camaraderie. "Everyone's willing to sell out for each other," Evans said.This selflessness has led to multiple team members scoring results, such as Jesse Mendonca's recent win at the Tuolumne Township Criterium. But Buchholz is clearly the team's star. With seven top-10 finishes this season, three of those in NRC races, Buchholz might be the next team member to join a professional squad. Jamiel Danesh moved to Kodakgaller.com-Sierra Nevada from the team last year. And young Loader, is on his way to Europe for three months to race with a French junior development team, Sprinter de Nice, which in turn sent riders to Saunier Duval-Prodir and Credit Agricole.Cough, CoughResults or no, the team takes some ribbing in the domestic peleton. "I guess riding by coughing is the most common," Willinger said.Team member Sean McBride described a race where a spectator was smoking pot on the side of the course; "When the scent wafted onto the course all of the sudden everybody in the peleton is all, 'BPG! Is he with you?'"While the team says the jibes have all been good natured, they take the mission of BPG seriously. Christian Kearney, a high school math teacher and Cat. I racer, said BPG is run the way medical marijuana dispensaries should be, "The security is very tight there, they're very stringent about patient cards, and it's just well run and organized," Kearney said, "They're by the books, not shady."McBride said BPG and Fontan in particular are proactive in their communities,"so that the people who mayor may not agree with their standpoint at least respect what they're trying to do.""There's a lot of safety checks involved to make sure nobody's scamming the system and just abusing privilege," McBride said. "And they do a lot of other stuff for the patients: acupressure, massage, and a hospice program. I'm happy to be part of it."Fontan has certainly heard his share of jokes too, such as do you guys give out sample from your sponsors?"I'm glad it's met with humor, but at the same time these guys have gotten results that deserve respect," Fontan said. "They may ride by coughing in jest, but in a while, they'll be sucking wheel."