Source: Electronic Telegraph, UK

Date: 26 January 1997

Author: Catherine Elsworth

SUPPORTERS of a convicted drugs smuggler who is standing as an MP have been banned from a city centre market after handing out cannabis seeds to children.

The police received complaints after members of the Campaign to Legalise Cannabis International gave envelopes of seeds to passers-by, including younger shoppers. Howard Marks, an Oxford graduate who currently lives in Majorca, is contesting both Norwich North, a Tory-held marginal seat, and Norwich South, on a platform of legalising cannabis.

His supporters held a stall at Norwich market distributing information about cannabis and hemp and its use in making paper, cloth and food. The campaigners say the seeds, bought locally from shops selling them as fishing bait and birdseed, are legal, "tasty and nutritious" and can be eaten. They have accused the authorities of ignorance and overreaction.

Alun Buffry, a campaign member, said: "Children got hold of the seeds and people imagined that they would grow lots of extremely potent cannabis. But it's hemp, it couldn't get anyone stoned."

Richard Price, drug education officer with Norfolk police, said: "Once fertilised, the seeds grow into cannabis which is a controlled B substance and therefore illegal. You need a licence to grow it and it is used to make products like rope. But I'm sure if people in Norwich wanted rope, they would buy it from a shop."

A City Council spokeswoman said; "We said they could have the stall to distribute information and collect a petition. But they handed out cannabis seeds in envelopes. We were very disappointed that they had broken their promise and have told them they can't use the facility again. It was a stupid thing to do, like giving drink to under-age drinkers in the middle of the street."

Mr Marks, who launches his campaign in Norwich today, spent seven years in an American jail for smuggling 5O-tonne consignments of hashish. He described the council's actions as irrational," he said. "I've no idea how they can justify this. It's totally bizarre. I can't see what they are trying to achieve."