MASS ARRESTS AS DOPE DEMO GOES UP IN SMOKE

Police tolerance towards pro-cannabis rallies has come to an abrupt end
with the mass arrest of 41 marijuana protesters.

Over 30 people were arrested for possession at a 'legalise cannabis'
demonstration in Hampshire. Another 10 were arrested for public order
offences at the Smokey Bear's Picnic on Southsea Common in Portsmouth - the
sixth picnic at the site.

The shock clampdown, which senior police officers admit is a deliberate
"change of tactics", could signify the adoption of a new get-tough policy
against drug campaigners.

Until now, larger-scale events around the country have been largely ignored
by police. At both a 5,000-strong march through south London last spring -
part of a world wide day of action and an 11,000-strong march from Hyde
Park to Trafalgar Square last year, there were no arrests for possession of
the banned substance.

"No one could believe what was going on. People were being dragged off the
common and bundled into vans," said an eyewitness at the Hampshire event,
Martin Palmer.

"The police used to turn a blind eye and smile, but suddenly they've
decided to get oppressive."

Inspector Kevin Waller of Portsmouth police said: "Last year we really just
let them get on with it, but this year there is a bit more positive
policing. We have to make sure the law is upheld."

However, protesters claim to have filmed one officer telling a colleague:
"Can you get another vanload down here? Get it totally in their face."

On the same day, August 15, new Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy
called for the creation of a Royal Commission to consider whether the drug
should be legalised.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: "There are inconsistencies and obvious failings
in current drugs policy. It is not working."

This September, which has been dubbed Free Cannabis Month, will see a
series of rallies marking the 71st anniversary of the prohibition of the drug.

Last year 72,000 people were arrested for cannabis-related in offences in
the UK resulting in enough marijuana prisoners to fill four jails, claim
campaigners. Police refused to comment on their tactics for the next Smokey
Bear's Picnic in Hyde Park, London on September 25.

* The author of drugs advice booklet, The Truth About Drugs, has been
refused permission to screen late-night advertisements on Channel 5.

Michael Rock, who wrote the booklet while in jail, has been told that
screening the ads on the so-called sex and soccer channel would encourage
young people to do something illegal.

The Truth About Drugs, backed by drug agency Lifeline, has sold almost
7,000 copies in high-street bookshops.

About 6 people appeared before Portsmouth magistrates today. One young
mother of previous good character pleaded guilty to kicking a copper up the
arse because he was arresting her friend in an aggressive manner. She
received a 6 month conditional discharge. The magistrate commented in open
court that she should have been cautioned at the police station following
her arrest. All the rest as far as I know have pleaded not guilty mostly to
possession of cannabis although one man arrested for threatening behaviour
after growling at a copper was actually charged with section 5 of the
public order act - basically breach of the peace. The guy who emailed the
ukcia site last week has decided to go for a jury trial and challenge the
law. We shall see if this goes the distance. Watch this space as they say ...