Subj: Police slam drugs guide



Source: Dorset Echo, UK



Pub Date: Friday Sept 10 1999



Author: Martin Lea





POLICE SLAM DRUGS GUIDE



Police have warned a Dorchester mother she could be prosecuted for writing

a drugs cookbook.



The 33-year-old woman - who published under the name "Eric" - has produced

a 30-recipe cannabis guide complete with a free offer of a packet of edible

hemp seeds.



Cannabis for Lunch is the second written and published by the woman, known

only as Sam.  The book, an 'informed and experienced guide into cooking

with grass and resin', is planned to go on sale in the area.



Detective Constable Gary Hole, of the Western Division's drug squad, warned

anyone following the recipes would be breaking the law.



He Said: "It's a very fine line, but depending on how this book is worded,

this woman could be committing an offence by inciting people to possess a

controlled rug.



"It is an offence to possess cannabis, a class B drug.  Anyone caught with

it could face up to five years in prison.



"If someone grows cannabis they could be facing a heavier sentence because

it is seen as producing a controlled drug.



ILLEGAL



"I would add there is no defence of using the drug for medicinal purposes."



Sam's first book - Cooking with Ganja - sold 9,000 copies and she says

among the buyers were teachers, police officers and doctors, although it is

not for sale to anyone under the age of 18.



She says the new guide is for educational use only and she is not

encouraging the illegal use of cannabis.



Sam studies a business management course at the Poundbury Enterprise Centre

to help her establish a company to publish and promote the books.



Sam maintains that, although she used cannabis as a teenager, she does not

grow or smoke the drug now, and had to gather information from various

sources to compile the recipes.



She said: "I don't want to upset anyone with this book.  Basically I am

responding to demand.



"I've yet to have any negative feedback.  It's a good food source.  It's

high in protein and low in fat.



"people take it into their own hands when they possess the drug and all I

can say is people should support the campaign to legalise it.  at the

moment it's in the hands of drug barons and out of control."



Cannabis for Lunch costs £6.99 and will be available in book shops from

October 1.