BRITISH CROWD URGES MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Marijuana should be legalized because it is a largely safe drug that can
alleviate some symptoms of multiple sclerosis, AIDS and cancer, the
sponsors of Britain's first public conference on the issue declared Thursday.

Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, one of the sponsors, told an
oftenrancorous audience of 500 in London that Britain's current policy
regulating marijuana is "random, foolish and harmful" and "turns the sick
into criminals."

"It is time to change the law," she said.

The conference, also sponsored by Virgin boss Richard Branson, was
organized by The Independent on Sunday newspaper, which has mounted a
Campaign to enable Britons to buy and grow marijuana legally.