Pot protest planned in bid to beat ban  

CANNABIS users from across Kent could descend on Thanet for a '420 day'.

The idea of the gathering, where cannabis smokers across the globe get together in various towns and cities on April 20 to protest against the criminalisation of the drug, was mooted at a meeting in Broadstairs on Saturday.

The meeting, which took place at Red Hall, was organised by Green councillor Ian Driver with the view of talking about creating a cannabis cafe on the isle.

Guest speakers included Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Kent, Alex Stevens.

Mr Driver chaired the meeting and was one of those to suggest the 420 day.

He said: "I think what we should be doing here is to call for a 420 day in Thanet. We can invite cannabis users from all over Kent to have a nice day on the beach."

A 420 event in London last year saw 10,000 smokers gather.

Northwood ward councillor Mr Driver added: "A cannabis cafe is going to be like any other cafe on the High Street and will do a lot of social good."

Speaker Greg de Hoedt, president of the United Kingdom Cannabis Social Club, told the meeting how medicinal cannabis helped his Crohn's disease.

He explained how, faced with the potential of losing a large part of his bowel aged 22, he left for America to treat his condition. Cannabis, used for medicinal purposes, is legal in some US states such as California and Colorado.

Other benefits of decriminalising the plant-based drug were community based regulation, he said. It was also argued that cannabis users had a less detrimental effect on anti-social behaviour and policing than alcohol.

One of those at the meeting, which included businessmen, students and ex-teachers, commented: "Thanet has a lovely altruistic cannabis community. We do not go out and smash things up or cause problems, we meet up at houses, listen to music and maybe consume too many sweet things."

The financial benefits were also discussed at length with some arguing the revenue it could bring to Thanet would help pay for community services such as adult social care.

Professor Stevens said: "Whether or not you agree with a café in Thanet I urge you to join the debate in the decriminalisation of drugs."

There are plans for further meetings. Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Anne Barnes was invited to meeting but declined to attend.

She said campaigners for a legal cannabis cafe would need to lobby for a law change. She added: "One of my roles is to hold the Chief Constable to account for upholding the law. I simply cannot turn a blind eye to this. We live in a democracy and if people want the law changed on the use of cannabis then they really need to lobby their local MP."

http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk 23/03/2014