Cannabis Rally

Thousands attend cannabis rally

News Headlines: Britain
Published: 03-May-03; 18:36

ITN

Police have stood back and watched as cannabis was openly smoked at a London rally in support of the drug attended by an estimated 15-20,000 people.

Scores of dealers wandered around Brockwell Park in Brixton, south London, selling their wares openly as the pungent smell of the illegal weed hung thickly in the air.

The event was taking place as part of the International Cannabis Day of Action. Protesters in around 250 cities worldwide demonstrated against prohibitions on the possession, supply and use of the drug.

Earlier, organisers said: "Up to 10,000 people took part in an hour-long march from Kennington Park to Brockwell Park in the Lambeth borough where police have famously operated a liberal policy to the drug.

It was there that police commander Brian Paddick, who has since been removed from duties, oversaw an approach allowing police officers to ignore the street cannabis trade to free up resources to fight hard drugs.

But Scotland Yard said that police would not be turning a blind eye to drug dealing.

A spokesman said: "If a police officer comes across someone who is smoking cannabis they will be asked to stop.

"If they don't stop the police officer will take appropriate action that could include confiscating the drug.

"If someone is suspected of dealing and found with a quantity that the police officer believes to be a large enough amount, it's highly likely they will be arrested."

But one dealer at the event said he was not worried about the prospect of arrest.

The man, who gave his name as Mark and described himself as a "businessman" from the Brixton area, said: "They (police) are not worried about a little bit of gear today.

"They've seen us smoking and they hear people offering but they're cool."

Also speaking at the event Chief Inspector Graham Morris said two individuals had been arrested on suspicion of dealing and several others were being questioned for theft related offences.

"Our priority today is to protect people from robberies but we will act against dealers," he said.

By 4pm, police estimated 3,000 people were at the rally. But Shane Collins, Green Party drugs spokesman and festival licensee, said: "There's at least 15-20,000 people here. We reckon 10,000 people took part in the march."

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