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UK: Glasgow cannabis rally offers smoke, politics and croissants
Herald Scotland Tuesday 21 Apr 2015 At exactly 4.20pm a cloud of cannabis smoke drifted upwards in Glasgow's George Square as dozens of people collectively lit up after a countdown. Noone seemed quite sure of the reason why this annual gathering in support of reform of the drug laws is called 420 day, but most of those present seemed pretty relaxed about it. This included the police, who detained two people early in the afternoon but thereafter kept their presence low key, with a male and a female officer strolling past the stalls and temporary stage periodically in the sunshine. Twenty years ago the attitude of the police would have been far less relaxed towards yesterday's (mon) gathering, which was part of World Cannabis Week. The stalls included one for a new political party Cista (Cannabis is Safer than Tobacco and Alcohol), which had launched its manifesto earlier in the day calling for a royal commission on drugs, unfortunately for founder Paul Birch this was rather overshadowed by another party's manifesto launch. Mr Birch's party is contesting 32 seats in the General Election including eight in Scotland. Indeed, he is enthusiastic about its prospects in Scotland. "Scotland's parliament has already differentiated itself with the drink driving law. We'd like to see it use its autonomy to change the law on cannabis," he says. "It isn't about deregulating it, but having the state regulate it rather than the police, in the same way we regulate tobacco and alcohol." He thinks an evidence based royal commission would certainly lead to changes. "About 50 per cent of the public support change, and 50 oppose it but that is because they are misinformed about the dangers - which are less than alcohol and tobacco. And it can be a gateway drug, but that is because it is illegal." The theme of the contrast between alcohol and cannabis was a popular one in the crowd, which included a man dressed in a homemade hemp plant outfit, a woman in her 30s wearing a 'Cannabis cures Cancer' T Shirt, the lettering in dayglo pink and a group of people smoking joints and wearing V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes masks. "Imagine people had been in George Square drinking alcohol, you'd have had mass brawls and arrests, by now, says Michael, a student. His friend David Whedon, a 22 year old salesman, says they are here to show solidarity. "Just to support the cause, legalising cannabis, having a smoke. It's safety in numbers, " he says. "It is good because people were coming through the square all day, eating lunch and on their way home from work. It takes away the stigma of smoking weed, lets everybody see it's not a bad thing." Under canvas, Jenny is selling supplies: cigarette papers, lighters, and inevitably, croissants and crispy cakes. There is exotica too - 'bong hoovers' and hemp lighting wicks, and pots of substitute tobacco made with sage and woodland herbs. It looks suspicious, but isn't. "Obviously we aren't selling cannabis" she says, despite the fact that this isn't entirely obvious. Chris Mackenzie, of Glasgow is the founder of the Glasgow Cannabis Social Club, the event organiser, and one of the Cista election candidates. He and his mum are selling raffle tickets, with lucky winners in line for seeds, hydroponic systems or growing lights. A growing network of not-for profit social clubs offer communal self-regulation of the cannabis market, he says. Behind closed doors private members clubs, they can help cut out for-profit dealers, and ensure users know what they are getting. Unlike the criminal fraternity, noone in these networks will offer you cocaine or heroin as an alternative, he says. "We think not social clubs are the way forward. It has to be not for profit, not like the alcohol industry, sponsoring football cubs and trying to sell as much as we can. "We aren't actively encouraging people to defy the law, but to get connected and come along and hear what people have to say." Glasgow City Council had refused permission for the event to take place, but organisers pressed ahead anyway. A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said one person had been subject to a report to the procurator fiscal in relation to alleged drug offenses. Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said it had been 'extremely irresponsible' of the police and the council to let the event go ahead. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/glasgow-cannabis-rally-offers-smoke-politics-and-croissants.123725730
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