PARK DEMO IS POLICE PICNIC : PRO-CANNABIS EVENT IS LOW KEY

A Pro-cannabis demonstration billed as a "Smokey Bears Picnic" in
Norwich yesterday attracted just a handful of campaigners.

Police maintained a 'low-key' presence as some 30 people sat around
Chapelfield Gardens, some handing out leaflets.

A leaflet circulated in the city this month claimed free samples of
the class-B drug would be handed out to those in medical need.

But officers made no arrests, and said no one was caught smoking or
dealing the drug or committing any offence.

Insp. Glenn Scoular, of Norwich police, said: "The event was not well
attended and officers deliberately kept a low-key presence."

"Sufficient officers were ready to assist in the operation but we made
prior contact with the organisers and were assured it was a local
event. No one was seen to commit any offence."

Alun Buffry, nominated officer of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in
Norwich said: "All the law does is increase the amount of stress for
people who are suffering and could use cannabis to ease their pain and
we would like to see it legalised.

"This is the third year of this event. It is a disorganised day at
which people can turn up for their own reasons."

The 'picnic' coincided with the 71st anniversary of the banning of
cannabis.