Pubdate: Sat, 10 Aug 2002
Source: Portsmouth News (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Portsmouth News.
Contact: http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/ContactUs.asp
Website: http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2411
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POLICE WILL JUMP ON JOINT SMOKERS

Police will clamp down on people smoking cannabis at tomorrow's Smokey 
Bears Picnic, senior officers have said.

The annual pro-cannabis rally at Southsea Common is expected to attract 
hundreds of protesters despite Home Secretary David Blunkett pledging to 
reclassify the class B drug.

Marijuana is expected to become a class C drug the same as steroids and 
anti-depressants by July 2003.

And while government critics say that effectively means decriminalising the 
drug, police in Hampshire insist cannabis is still illegal and have 
promised to act accordingly.

Chief Inspector John Happel said: 'We will have police officers on duty. 
Our view is still that public breaking of the law will be dealt with, 
smoking and dealing in cannabis is still a criminal offence and until such 
time as that position changes then we will continue to enforce the law.'

Southsea town councillor Peter Montague, who runs an ice cream shop by the 
common, said he was against the protest. He added: 'I don't agree with it 
at all.'

The Smokey Bears Picnic started in 1994 in protest against the Criminal 
Justice Bill.

But organisers say it is still relevant because the government is only 
planning to reclassify the drug not make it legal.

A spokesman for the group accused the government of 'fudging' the issue by 
failing to either bring in stricter controls on the drug or legalise it.

Controversy has dogged the event throughout its nine-year history. Three 
years ago scuffles broke out when some 50 police officers squared up to 150 
demonstrators. There were 10 arrests at last year's picnic.

Just two years ago taxpayers funded a UKP 2,700 court case in which Andrew 
Slater was accused of smoking a UKP 2 joint he was cleared. Protester Jon 
Neil was also arrested two years ago after he made fun of an officer who 
was wearing a ginger wig.

Mr Neil went on to win UKP 1,200 compensation from police, who libelled him 
by saying he had been arrested for possessing drugs.

The Southsea resident spent around UKP 100 of the compensation on buying 
ice creams and food for the demonstrators at last year's event.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager