Cannabis March Confirmed for this Sunday
– CANNABIS EDUCATION & RESEARCH TRUST –
May 2005 PRESS/PUBLIC RELEASE
CANNABIS EDUCATION MARCH & RALLY, LONDON SUN 15 MAY 2005
Assembles 1pm at Montague Street, RUSSELL SQUARE, LONDON, WC1 for ‘cannabis carnival’ style march, departs 2pm through central London to rally, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, 3-7pm, with speakers & information stalls.
A national ‘Cannabis Education March & Rally’ is now CONFIRMED for central London on Sunday May 15th. This is an ‘emergency’ cannabis event, organised as a response to new cannabis health concerns, as well as recent calls to return cannabis to being a ‘Class B’ drug offence, which means a return to jailing people simply for possession.
The ‘Cannabis Education March’ is also part of an annual global cannabis campaign with marches this May 2005 in over 150 cities worldwide. The event in London has been organised to fill the gap in Britain after the cancellation of the annual Cannabis March and Festival in Brixton.
The central London event, right after the general election, is being backed by what organisers say is the largest ‘united front’ against the prohibition of cannabis ever assembled in Britain.
“How safe is cannabis? How dangerous is cannabis prohibition?” is the main theme of the event. Aiming to promote a greater understanding of cannabis and cannabis prohibition, it comes after new health concerns.
A route for the march has been agreed with Scotland Yard and the use of Trafalgar Square for a ‘Cannabis Education Rally’ has been approved by the GLA.
The march route passes the British Museum where marchers will leave ‘cannabis prohibition’ in a box for storage. They also pass the TUC Headquarters where a delegation from the ‘National Union of Cannabis Users’ will deliver a motion calling for solidarity against testing for cannabis at work, and for the use of medical cannabis in the NHS.
Speakers confirmed include George Melly, Caroline Coon, Peter Tatchell, Patricia Tabram (Cannabis Grandma), Roger Warren-Evans (Liberty barrister), plus Howard Marks (Mr Nice) calling live from Moscow, (full updated speakers listing on website).
Other speakers include experts on ‘skunk’ and medical cannabis, plus cannabis dealers, growers and campaigners. The nutritional, environmental and industrial uses of hemp will be covered, along with cannabis and mental health, and the science of cannabis. Also invited are political and spiritual representatives, plus individuals from many walks of life.
Issues to be covered include the real cost of prohibition, drug testing at work and school, driving under the influence, the dangers of ‘soap bar’ (adulterated cannabis), and sniffer dogs.
Political speakers invited include representatives from all the main parties, plus the Legalise Cannabis Alliance which had 18 candidates standing in 21 constituencies in the general election.
Musicians, comedians, poets and artists will all be represented and there will be information areas covering the medical and recreational uses of cannabis, as well as the nutritional and industrial uses of hemp.
“Cannabis prohibition is the most expensive mistake in British legal history” said an organiser; “Prohibition puts public health in far more danger than any amount of cannabis use that might occur if it was legal. Fears that consumption would rise are unfounded, as almost everyone who wants to use cannabis is already doing so, while many people who try cannabis do not like it.”
“Everyone wants a healthier and safer society, so when it comes to issues like cannabis, despite seemingly vast ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ legalisation divisions, most people are actually on the same side; they just can’t agree on how to get there. The way out is to approach the issue in an educated and practical way.
Updated details about the event including speakers and supporting organisations are available at http://www.cannabistrust.com
Further inquiries: Andy Cornwell, coordinator, Cannabis Trust. (07976825086). press@cannabistrust.com
