THOUSANDS THRONG LONDON IN PRO-MARIJUANA MARCH

LONDON - About 10,000 people took to the London streets on Saturday to
campaign for the legalization of marijuana in the biggest pro-drug march of
modern times in Britain.

Many protesters smoked the drug openly during the march through central
London, while police stood by and watched.

Others waved banners with slogans such as "Dope is hope," "Free the weed"
and "Change the law and condemn your children to prison no more."

The march, organized by the Independent on Sunday newspaper which is
campaigning to decriminalize the drug, was attended by participants from as
far afield as Italy and the United States.

"The government should legalize cannabis now. Alcohol is more dangerous
than cannabis. I've been smoking weed (cannabis) since I left school," said
a young woman who identified herself as Trixta.

"People need it medicinally and recreationally," she said, offering to
supply some cannabis if needed.

Around 65,000 people a year are charged with possession of cannabis in
Britain, where using the drug for personal use is illegal. Many offenders
are let off with only a caution.

Campaigners say the drug is less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes and
its prohibition boosts the illegal drugs market.

Debate over the use of cannabis intensified after revelations that the
17-year-old son of interior minister Jack Straw sold a small amount of the
drug to an undercover reporter.

The Labor government continues to reject calls to reverse a 27-year-old
ruling outlawing the drug, which is sometimes used to relieve the suffering
of the chronically sick.

Jane Moor, a 55-year-old suffering from multiple sclerosis, said she had
been dependent on cannabis for the last six years.

"I don't mind being a criminal if I can be happy and feel better," she said
as she steered her wheelchair through Trafalgar Square.

Doctors, politicians, pop stars and businessmen were among those supporting
the newspaper's campaign.

"What we want to see is (parliament) debating (legalizing marijuana)
openly, freely and weighing up the evidence from the World Health
Organisation and from the British Medical Council. People want to be
involved," said editor Rosie Boycott.

Paul Flynn, a pro-cannabis Labour member of parliament, said the government
was plagued by "ignorance and hypocrisy" on the issue.

He told the crowd: "Prohibition must end quickly for those people who are
terribly sick. It's the best medicine in the world."

Copyright © 1998 Reuters News Service