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UK: Police warning ahead of cannabis protest picnic (Surrey)
Get Surrey Friday 13 Sep 2013 A PROTEST picnic and ‘smoke-up’ will be held by pro-cannabis campaigners in Stoke Park on Saturday September 14. Police have said that drug taking will not be tolerated at the protest, which is organised by the Surrey Cannabis Club. The protest follows similar events around the country, including one in Hyde Park which attracted up to 2,000 people in April. Organisers in Guildford said they hope to promote issues surrounding the drug and provide a platform for open debate. More than 100 people are expected to attend the event scheduled to run between 1pm and 7pm. Speakers will include multiple sclerosis patient and activist Clark French and Greg de Hoedt who is president of United Kingdom Cannabis Social Clubs and has Crohn’s disease. Alan Pavia, 35, from the Surrey Cannabis Club said they are not encouraging people to take the drug on Saturday but ‘there will be people consuming cannabis there’. “We really just want to connect with the mainstream public and media and show that cannabis users can be, and are, responsible individuals,” he said. “One of the aims of this picnic is to provide an open forum which anyone can attend to discuss any of the issues surrounding cannabis, both positive and negative. “We want to actively encourage non-consumers of cannabis to attend this event so they can inform themselves of the issues, ask questions and interact with members of the pro-cannabis movement.” Pro-legalisation campaigners argue that money could be made from taxing the cannabis, and savings made from the 'failing' war on drugs. Furthermore the plant could be put to a number of other uses in the textile, paper, fuel, food and building industries, Mr Pavia, a self-employed electrician from Guildford, said: “We also want to highlight the hypocrisy of UK legislation and the unlawful restriction of cannabis as a medicine to patients that it clearly benefits, Sativex being the obvious example of the state hypocrisy regarding natural herbal cannabis.” Since 2010 Sativex, derived from processed cannabis plants, has been licensed for prescription as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. “What we want to do is to provide an open platform for discussion and to educate the public about all the issues about prohibition and the harm it causes,” said Mr Pavia. “The war on drugs isn’t succeeding and we’re aiming to change legislation. It is criminalising individuals who want to take the drug which is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. “The human body produces small amounts of THC naturally. To make a natural thing against the law seems crazy and I don’t think Joe Public knows this stuff. “We are not trying to promote smoking cannabis per se but we do want to promote freedom of choice.” A spokesman for Surrey Police confirmed they are aware of the planned protest by the Surrey Cannabis Club. He said: “Neighbourhood officers will be attending the event on Saturday to ensure the safety of the general public and will deal robustly and appropriately with anyone caught breaking the law.” Borough commander Inspector Amy Buffoni said: “Whilst everyone has the right to make a peaceful protest Surrey Police will not tolerate the use of illegal drugs. “I have seen the damage caused by the supply, sale and use of Class B drugs within our communities and will persevere with activities to sweep the streets of Surrey clean of drugs.” http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/police-warning-ahead-cannabis-protest-5919100
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