PRO-CANNABIS LOBBY TO STAND

FIVE candidates from a new party pushing for the legalisation of
cannabis hope to be voted onto the city council - the biggest pro-pot
field to contest a local government election.

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance registered as a political party only
recently, but its members are stalwarts of the campaign to stop the
use of the drug being a criminal offence.

One candidate Danny Tungate polled 72 votes when he stood in the
Catton Grove Ward at the last election.

When former drug smuggler Howard Marks fought both the Norwich North
and South seats at the last general election on a legalise cannabis
platform political opponents claimed his campaign would give Norwich a
reputation as a drugs' centre.

But the alliance - which has a cannabis leaf as its logo - said it
aimed to take away the "stigma" surrounding smoking dope.

Jack Girling, the alliance's candidate for the Mancroft ward, said:
"We want to give cannabis users in Norwich a voice on the council."