CANNABIS PARTY GIVEN TAXPAYERS' CASH

HUNDREDS of pounds of taxpayers' money has been handed to
Norwich-based pressure group the Legalise Cannabis Alliance.

The controversial party was given UKP 500 by the Electoral Commission
as part of new rules designed to help all officially registered
political groups with their running costs.

The group, which has staged events promoting the use and
decriminalisation of cannabis, is one of several beneficiaries of a
special UKP 700,000 fund controlled by political party regulators the
Electoral Fund.

Other groups which have been given cash include the extreme right wing
British National Party with UKP 1,000 and the Official Monster Raving
Loony Party with UKP 350.

Norwich coroner William Armstrong today condemned the promotion of
illegal cannabis use after being witness to several inquests of drug
addicts who went on to heroin after starting to smoke cannabis at a
young age.

He said: "There are vulnerable youngsters who are introduced to
cannabis at an early age who have gone on to use hard drugs.

"There is also clear evidence that cannabis use can be particularly
harmful to a person's mental health."

He opted not to comment on whether taxpayer's money should be used to
support the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, but added: "My view on the
issue of whether cannabis should be legalised is that the jury is still out."

Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP, said the case for legalising cannabis
was still not strong enough to win over the British public.

He said: "There is a case to be made and while they have done it, it
does not look to me like they have convinced the British public.

"But I find it appalling that groups like the BNP have been given any
money at all."

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said the cash had been
allocated to help improve computer systems, accounting records and for
staff training.

He said: "This is a one-off scheme to provide start-up grants for
parties to comply with the Political Parties and Referendums Act. The
Act forbids the commission from helping parties in any other way."

The largest amounts from the fund have been given to Labour and the
Conservatives which received UKP 183,000 each. Lib Dems were given UKP
137,000