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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Dozens of cannabis users join peaceful demonstration in Exeter
Express and Echo, Exeter Sunday 28 Sep 2014 The Devon Cannabis Club hosted its second annual Harvest Picnic at the Flowerpot Playing Fields in Exeter yesterday afternoon after publicising it via the group’s Facebook campaign page. Last year a similar protest was attended by around 100 cannabis users. Although there was a moderate police presence in the park, a police spokesperson confirmed that he was not aware of any arrests or and issues arising from the event. The aim of the event was to raise public awareness of the campaign and to “lift the blanket of stigma and these ridiculous laws.” Group admins gave out information regarding cannabis, the harms of prohibition and why they believe a legal, regulated system would take away many of the problems associated with its usage. The Devon club is part of the United Kingdom Cannabis Social Clubs, a national NGO made up of grass-roots movements all over the country who encourage people to write to their MPs on the issue. The group believes that there is bias and misinformation in the mainstream media regarding cannabis use and the public protest picnics are a way of showing that people can get together and smoke cannabis safely and responsibly. One of the club admins, Jordan Phipps, 26, said: “The turnout was absolutely brilliant, people came from all over, from a far away Corn wall and Swindon and there were all sorts of ages. “It wasn’t about turning up and smoking in public,” he continued. “It was about educating people.” Jordan said that the view of the movement is that by legalising cannabis, instead of it being maintained underground, safer use of the drug will be promoted. For example, he explained that its cultivation could be regulated ensuring a safe product free of chemicals, and an age limit could be imposed. In addition, he said that he believes the way cannabis is dealt and obtained has a big part to play in its use leading on to the consumption of other harder substances, but legalising it would help eliminate this problem. He added: “The message was that people can have a safe and happy time with cannabis – if alcohol had been added to the equation, the event could have been far different.” Police previously said that while anyone smoking cannabis would be breaking the law, they recognised the right to peaceful protest. http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Dozens-cannabis-users-join-peaceful-demonstration/story-23011088-detail/story.html
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