Steve Wright <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>BTW, what's going on with the marijuana legalization thing in the UK?
>
>Doc
Just lighting one up now doc<lol>, no, theres no chance of it becoming
legalized in my opinion. Our country is far to backward. All the britsh
politicians do one thing and preach another (like all of them I suppose)
there were only 3000 (according to sky news) protestors though, not enough
to cause a rumble in the jungle.
Steve
(BBC) UK Cannabis campaign on the move
Protesters defied police by lighting up
About 11,000 people joined a march through the streets of central London in
support of decriminalising cannabis.
The rally, on Saturday, was described as the biggest of its kind in Britain
for decades. Supporters from all over Europe took part.
MP Paul Flynn says cannabis is not a threat to society (37').
Dozens of marchers were openly smoking cannabis as they congregated behind a
huge "legalise it" banner, despite police warnings that they risked being
arrested.
However, police said only one juvenile was arrested for possession of
cannabis and a 21-year-old man was arrested for breach of the peace.
Part way through the march leading pro-cannabis campaigner and former drug
smuggler, Howard Marks, arrived at the front and led the way, smoking a
joint as he walked behind three policemen.
He said the march was necessary "because the government doesn't seem to
listen to anything else".
Campaigners delighted
The rally was organised by the Independent on Sunday newspaper and led by
the Labour MP Paul Flynn, who is campaigning for the decriminalisation of
the drug.
The mood was jovial
He said the march was already a success even before anybody had taken a
single step.
"At last we are having a serious debate about the perils of prohibition," he
said.
"The fact is that prohibition is fuelling the increased use of all drugs in
this country, which is now the drugs capital of Europe."
Cannabis legalisation campaigners argue that there is no firm proof that the
drug damages the health of users.
Therapeutic effects
They also point to studies which suggest chemicals found in the plant can
relieve pain in people suffering illnesses such as arthritis.
Verity Leeson, 20, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, who suffers from multiple
sclerosis, was in her wheelchair at the front of the march smoking cannabis.
"I think they should legalise it," she said. "I have been smoking cannabis
for two years on my doctor's advice. It helps my condition, it's a good
painkiller and it relaxes me."
Opponents unconvinced
The campaign has brought strong opposition from anti-drug groups who believe
that cannabis is harmful to health and to society.
Glenys Weaver, of Parents Against Drugs, disagrees with any relaxation of
the drug laws.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't think the drug should be
legalised," she said.
"My son is a heroin addict, and it has devastated our family and so many
other families, and it all started through the use of soft drugs like
cannabis."
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