Southsea Picnic Challenges Law
Bears Press release - Tuesday 6th August 2002
UKCIA recieved a press release from the Portsmouth Smokey Bears before the 2002 picnc, informing the media - and hence the police, that the law against cannabis would be openly challenged.
The police annouced that they would enforce the law and arrest anyone seen smoking cannabis, which prompted the screaming headlines in the local rag.
In the event, they didn't show up, in total contrast to the last few years.
It seems it's even safe to smoke cannabis openly in public in Portsmouth now.
Perhaps the police could be a little clearer about how they intend to enforce Blunketts half-baked proposed reforms?
Bears Press release - Tuesday 6th August 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.
