Subj: Thousands Of Germans Call For Legalisation Of  Cannabis



Pubdate: Tue, 31 Aug 1999



Source: Reuters





THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CALL FOR LEGALISATION OF CANNABIS



BERLIN, Aug 28 (Reuters) - More than 50,000 people took part in

Berlin's third annual ``Hemp Parade'' on Saturday, taking to the

streets of the German capital to call for the legalisation of cannabis.



Carrying posters urging politicians to legalise the drug, the

demonstrators called for a relaxation of laws on its possession.



``The German law is stupid in many points and we are demanding

complete legalisation...for medical and recreational uses,'' said

Martin Muencheberg, a press spokesman for the parade's organisers.



``Even in the world's oldest medicine book there is a report of (its)

medicinal uses,'' he told Reuters Television. ``And throughout

history, studies prove that THC, the active agent in cannabis, has

many therapeutic and pain-relieving qualities.''



The participants, who came from all age groups, were demonstrating

against what they called ``state repression.''



Cannabis is still regarded as an illegal drug in Germany although

posession of small amounts is no longer considered a crime.



Thirty floats paraded from Berlin's central Alexanderplatz square to

the historic Brandenburg Gate, where the organisers arranged a

so-called ``Market of possibilities,'' which offered information

stands as well as hemp products for sale.



The hemp plant can also be used for such diverse articles as ropes,

textiles, beer and cosmetics.