Subj: Roddick's dope joke branded irresponsible

Date: Mar 21, 1998

Source: The Scotsman

Roddick's dope joke branded irresponsible

Body Shop founder Anita Roddick was yesterday accused of
turning drug-taking into a joke as she distributed cannabis
seeds to launch a beauty range, writes Shenai Raif.

Miss Roddick handed out the packets of seeds at the London
launch of her new products, but anyone planting them would
be breaking the law.

Yesterday, the former Home Office minister Ann Widdecombe
said Miss Roddick was being "wholly irresponsible" in
introducing the Hemp range of skin care products because
they are produced from the Cannabis sativa plant.

The move has also been criticised by the Parents Against
Drugs group. Spokesman Joan Keogh said: "What they are doing
is legal, but youngsters will put two and two together and
come up with five."

It is illegal to grow cannabis in theis country, although
industrial hemp from Cannabis sativa seeds can be cultivated
with a Home Office licence.

The packets come with a drugs warning: "Do not attempt to
use the plant as a narcotic. You would need a joint the size
of a telegraph pole to get high."