Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Herald, The (Glasgow, UK)
Copyright: 2014 Herald & Times Group
Contact:  http://www.heraldscotland.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4784
Author: Daniel Sanderson
Page: 9
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

A WATCHED POT: POLICE PATROLS AT PRO-CANNABIS 'CELEBRATION'

Five Men Are Reported but No Disorder at Controversial Glasgow Rally

Taxpayers' money is being wasted enforcing the illegality of 
something that's better than alcohol or tobacco. I want to see it 
legalised in my lifetime

CANNABIS users have gathered at a rally at Glasgow Green to call for 
the decriminalisation of the Class B drug.

Glasgow Cannabis Social Club said yesterday's event was a 
"celebration" of the substance and had been organised to "enlighten 
members of the public".

Organisers said they had hoped 600 people would turn out. However, 
Police Scotland said that at its peak only about 150 people were in attendance.

The crowds were kept under the watchful eye of officers, who largely 
kept their distance but occasionally made unwelcome patrols through 
the masses. While many smoked cannabis openly, the police were not 
prepared to turn a blind eye in all cases.

Apolice spokeswoman said that, while there was no disorder and no 
arrests had been made, five males had been reported to the 
procurator-fiscal for alleged cannabis possession.

The force had faced criticism in the run-up to the event following 
allegations they were set to ignore illegal drug use at the festival.

Derek Anderson, who had travelled from Cumnock in Ayrshire and said 
he supported an overhaul of cannabis laws, was one of those interrupted.

"They've seen me smoking, and there was a bit of grass in front of 
me," he said. "They've come up, searched me and taken my details. 
Considering the day, and the fact that everyone's doing it, you don't 
expect them to single folk out. It's a peaceful event.

"They took a gram-and-a-half and said they were going to test it, so 
presumably they'll be back in touch. It's put a bit of a dampener on 
the day and it's not as if they haven't got anything better to do."

The event, which was beset by technical issues due to problems with 
power generators, included speeches and performances from comedians 
and bands. Many in attendance said they believed the tide was turning 
against criminalisation, following liberalisation of drugs laws in 
other countries.

Linda Hendry, spokeswoman for the legalise cannabis in Scotland 
campaign, said she had been lobbying for deregulation since 1979 and 
that she believed a Yes vote in September could be a catalyst for 
more liberal drug laws north of the Border, with classification 
currently decided at Westminster.

She said: "At the moment taxpayers' money is being wasted enforcing 
the illegality of something that's better than alcohol or tobacco."

"I would like to see it legalised in my lifetime. We've legalised gay 
marriage, and I can remember when gay acts were illegal."

Anne O'Neill was due to speak at the event about the medicinal 
benefits of cannabis. She said she had used the drug legally for 10 
years while living in Oregon to help with chronic insomnia as part of 
a medicinal marijuana programme but had been "too afraid" to purchase 
it illegally in Britain.

"I've been suffering since I came to the UK in 2004," she said. "It 
helps with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, 
pain from cancer and so many other things.

"I have had health scares as a result of the prescription drugs 
they've put me on instead. I'd like to see it legalised across the 
board and for it to be regulated and taxed. But if that's not 
possible at least get the sick people this medicine."

Robyn Brown, 23, from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, said she had 
been using cannabis since she was 16. "It hasn't damaged me, it makes 
me feel happy," she said. "It should be legal, it's better than 
alcohol as you just chill out."

Organisers said they did not encourage cannabis use at the event and 
those who did choose to consume the drug did so at their own risk. 
Audience members were asked not to bring alcohol as it could give 
police an excuse to search them.

Scottish Conservative MSP John Lamont said that a "carnival in homage 
to an illegal substance" should not have been allowed. "It was 
inevitable that, in a festival of cannabis, there was going to be 
mass smoking which police couldn't control," he added. "It's 
remarkable it was ever given the green light to go ahead."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom