EX-MAYOR 'IRRESPONSIBLE' IN DRUGS ROW

A FORMER town mayor has been labelled irresponsible following claims
he wishes to legalise cannabis.

But Dorchester town and district councillor Tim Harris denies he has
acted inappropriately by calling for a debate on the drug's use for
medical purposes.

Cllr John Antell claims Cllr Harries should know better and, as a
grandfather and former mayor, is acting irresponsibly, by appearing
to be pro-cannabis.

He said: "What really concerns me is yet again the attitude of Cllr
Harries, who has made various comments which seem indicative of
propagating cannabis before

"My personal view is that I cannot stop Cllr Harries speaking his
mind but he is a grandfather and a former first citizen and it
worries me considerably that he might start a pro-cannabis campaign
from the town council.

"I would like all the parents and grandparents to know that I shall
do my best to support the police and take a hard line in putting
cannabis before any of the youngsters in this town.

"It is a democracy and he is entitled to come out with his opinions
but I do think saying this about cannabis is wholly inappropriate.
as a grandfather and former mayor be has been most irresponsible."

But Cllr Harries said his call for a debate into the drug's use does
not mean he is in favour of introducing cannabis cafes in the county
town.

"It would be very sensible if there was a debate as to whether it
would be helpful to consider using it for medical purposes but I am
not saying roll in a cannabis cafe in Dorchester for one minute," he
added.

"It is a pity Mr Antell does not feel it is right to enter the
debate. It is a bit late to try and stop it being put in front of
youngsters because it is already before them, we all know that.

"We all know there are pushers around the town and anybody on the
council should know that. If he does not he is living in another
universe.

"He has obviously not got a lot to do and it is his last year on the
town council and he wants to go out in a blaze of glory.

"I am not knowledgeable enough about it to know whether legalising it
is a good thing. We need a lot more facts."