LAW STANDS, SMOKEY BEARS WARNED

Police have pledged to uphold the law on Sunday at the annual pro-cannabis
rally.

Superintendent Martyn Powell, Southsea's police commander who defended the
response of his officers at last year's rally, said the law would be upheld
again on Sunday.

He said: 'It is our job to deal with any infringement of the criminal law,
including cannabis ossession. Currently the by-law set by the city council
only allows demonstrations and meetings on Southsea Common under licence. To
our knowledge, the Smokey Bears Picnic organisers have yet to apply for any
licence.

'Consequently a police presence will again be necessary to deal with any
infringements of local authority by-laws and the criminal law.'

Last year, there were more than 30 arrests among the crowd of 150 attending
the event on Southsea Common - mostly for possession of cannabis.

A number of scuffles broke out as protesters were confronted. Five were
arrested for public disorder offences and assault.

Today the picnic organisers told people to bring along 'dummy joints'
containing only legal smoking mixes to the rally on the common on Sunday
afternoon.