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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Southsea Picnic Challenges Law
Smokey Bear Press Release
Monday 05 Aug 2002 Direct Action cannabis campaigners, the Portsmouth Smokey Bears, are set to stage their ninth annual picnic on Southsea Common on Sunday 11th August at 2pm. Plans for this years protest are being kept 'undercover' but a spokesperson said "we are expecting some surprise guests to drop in". In previous years the picnic has witnessed a hemp wedding, a celebrity joint rolling contest and the arrest of special guest Howard Marks. The Smokey Bears dismiss recent Government plans for the reclassification of cannabis as confusing, incoherent and contradictory. One Smokey Bear commented "the only way to control Cannabis is to bring it within the law, not to continue the same old failed policy of prohibition under a different letter." Plans to downgrade cannabis from Class B to Class C does not address or deal with the fact that 40% of people aged 18-35 have smoked pot and six million do so on a regular basis (Government figures). Smokey Bears would support Government licenced outlets with age limits where people could legally buy and smoke cannabis. Police and court time would be saved by not harassing cannabis users, and valuable tax revenue would be generated from the supply and distribution. Cannabis is not addictive, shows little or no risk to health, and cannabis users do not start fights. Dave Bear, a local activist added "The scandal of the government's policy on cannabis is that it leaves a multi million pound business in the hands of organised crime". Notes to Editors: (i) The Smokey Bears are a Direct Action group who use non violent civil disobedience to highlight their frustration at the continuing prohibition of the cannabis plant. (ii) In recent years the police have done their best to discourage people from attending the picnic. Police tactics have included sniffer dogs, extensive video surveillance and other intimidating policies, including arresting people for allegedly breaking council bye-laws. (iii) Photographic / Television opportunity A number of humorous and visual stunts will be performed throughout the picnic. More info: Dave Bear 07753 219135 or bear@hotpotmail.com ENDS
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