THOUSANDS READY TO ROLL UP FOR CANNABIS MARCH

REPRESENTATIVES of Britain's leading drug-reform groups met last night to
form a new front to fight the drug laws on the eve of the London cannabis
march.

Danny Kushlick, director of the drug-policy group Transform said: "It is
the first time all the different groups in Britain have agreed to combine
in this way." The plan is for the new alliance to co-ordinate its
activities to create maximum impact. "The three main areas of co-operation
will be in lobbying MPs, building membership and working with the media,"
Mr Kushlick said.

The meeting, held at the Quaker International Centre in Euston, was
attended by more than 50 delegates. It was held last night because so many
representatives were in London for today's Independent on Sunday march in
favour of the decriminalisation of cannabis which begins in Hyde Park at
noon and goes on to a rally at Trafalgar Square. Thousands of people are
expected to attend.

"We will discuss the possibility of fielding a candidate at a forthcoming
European parliamentary election," Mr Kushlick said, "and organise a series
of events all over Britain in June to raise awareness of the United Nations
General Assembly special session on anti-drug policies". Groups represented
at last night's meeting included Transform, Release, The Green Party, the
Drug Policy Review Group, the CLCIA, UKCIA and the Scottish Campaign to
Legalise Cannabis.