above: cannabis education march: central london sunday 15th may

cannabis education march & rally goes for the truth

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London May 15th: In beautiful sunshine, a 'cannabis education march' hit central London Sunday May 15th, as over 2000 people marched, danced and even floated their way through crowded streets to a rally of up to 5000 in Trafalgar Square.

The event was organised by the newly formed 'Cannabis Trust' (Cannabis Education & Research Trust), backed by a 'united front' of cannabis campaigners, educators, doctors, lawyers, members of all the main political parties in Britain including a 'Toking Tory', an ex drugs squad officer, the Cannabis Grandma and even a member of the House of Lords.

The Trust plans to hold a series of events in the coming year building up to a massive 'cannabis education march & festival' in London next year.

A free 24 hour 'Cannabis Concern' help line is also being started by the Cannabis Trust for concerned parents, school teachers, and cannabis users. Expert information about cannabis, including medical, psychological and legal advice will be offered.

above: howard marks, cannabis education rally, trafalgar sq may 15th

The main aim is to bring more truth and objectivity to the debate on how society should deal with the issue of cannabis.

A statement from the Cannabis Trust says: The only safe solution is the lifting of cannabis prohibition, to be replaced by the establishment of legal regulation of quality and distribution, just like any other consumer product. Anything less fails to protect the public, especially the young and vulnerable, from the serious health and social problems associated with cannabis prohibition.

How safe is cannabis? How dangerous is cannabis prohibition?

At the rally in TRAFALGER SQUARE expert speakers covered a wide range of topics including cannabis harm reduction, medical cannabis, mental health and cannabis, 'amotivation', nutrition, and the science of cannabis.

Other issues covered included the cost of prohibition, drug testing at work and school, driving under the influence, sniffer dogs and the dangers of 'soap bar' (adulterated cannabis).

above & below: cannabis grandma, cannabis education rally, may 15th

Also speaking at the event were growers, cannabis dealers, campaigners, political and spiritual representatives, plus individuals from many walks of life.

Political speakers included representatives from all the main parties including a 'Toking Tory', plus members of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance which had 18 candidates standing in the general election.

An Cannabis Trust spokesperson said: "The Government says we need cannabis prohibition for health reasons, but prohibition is a crude method of social control which has failed. Public health concerns over welmingly support ending cannabis prohibition as soon as possible. This will create a far safer situation than we have now regarding cannabis use, particularly for young people."

"The most dangerous thing about cannabis, is cannabis prohibition."

Speakers Programme: Cannabis Education Rally, Trafalgar Sq, Sunday, 15th May 2005.

3pm: March arrives.
3.10: Welcome by compere Clara O'Donnell, Patricia Tabram (Cannabis Grandma), Alun Buffry, Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) and Andy Cornwell, Cannabis Trust.
3.15: Roger Warren Evans, barrister, Liberty.
3.25: Damian Turner, arthritis medical user.
3.30: Chris Baldwin, medical user & campaigner.
3.35: Lyndon, editor, CCNewz (Cannabis Community News).
3.45: Caroline Coon, artist, co-founder of Release.
3.50: Kenyon Gibson, author 'Hemp For Victory'.
3.55: Lord Tony Gifford QC, Human Rights lawyer, London, send message of support.
4.00: Shane Collins, Green Party Drugs Group.
4.05: Steve Rolles, message of support from Transform.
4.10: Andria Efthimiou-Mordaunt, ENCOD.
4.15: Alun Buffry, national coordinator Legalise Cannabis Alliance.
4.20: Will Rogers, writer & expert on organic skunk.
4.25: light entertainment interval.
4.30: Dana Beal, coordinator Global Marijuana March, Cures Not Wars, New York.
4.35: Justice For Kebba 'Dobbo' Jobe Campaign, Camden.
4.40: Greg Foxsmith, Human Rights Lawyer.
4.45: Helen Sello, mental health carer & campaigner.
4.50: Message from Dr Zerrin Atakan, National Psychosis Unit
4.55: Tim Summers, Green Party Candidate, Vauxhall.
5.00: Howard Marks, Mr Nice, live from Moscow.
5.15: Patricia Tabram, Cannabis Grandma.
5.20: Phil, editor Weed World magazine, coordinator Wembly Cannabis & Hemp Fair.
5.25: Lee Harris, 60's to now, Alchemy headshop owner.
5.30: Appeal Against Execution for Cannabis in Singapore + Release of Hemp seed Helium Balloons (biodegradable). Donation appeal for the Cannabis Trust and future events.
5.35: Peter Tatchell, Outrage.
5.40: Suzana Sousa, organiser Cannabis March, Rio, Brazil.
5.45: Rocky Van de Benderskum, Canterbury LCA candidate.
5.50: Paul, cnnabis assembly
5.55:
6.00: Gez Smith, LibDems 'Youth & Student'.
6.05: Steve Pank, CLCA.
6.10: Mark Gibson, thc4ms.
6.15: David Crane, editor Hempire news on cannabis & the media.
6.20: Jeff Ditchfield, medical cannabis expert.
6.30: Richard Parry, lawyer.
6.35: Tony Taylor, Tony's Holistic Center, medicinal cannabis expert and practitioner.
6.40: Dennis Peron, leading Californian medical cannabis reformer.
6.45: George Melly, jazz musician.
6.50: Andy Cornwell, co-ordinator Cannabis Trust+ musical finale with Pok with special guests.

+ Cannabis Information: medical cannabis, 'smoke free', campaigning, recreational and hemp 'cannabis education zones', with information stalls and a chance to meet the experts.

+ The 'People's Commission of Inquiry on Cannabis' - The British Government's 'Drugs Bill' now passing through Parliament, outlines plans for a 'Commission of Inquiry into the Effects and Classification of Cannabis'. This is something many have called for, over many years. To contribute towards the success of the government's inquiry, a 'People's Commission of Enquiry on Cannabis' was launched on at the rally on May 15th, to collect evidence from all sides and 'research the research'. This information will be submitted to the Government Commission as evidence for their consideration, to ensure they do not miss anything. It will also be published. All interested parties are invited to contribute. email: commission@cannabistrust.com

Cannabis Education Research Trust statement:

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Cannabis should not be used as a political football. Its treatment in society should be decided in a rational and informed manner. This event aims to contribute in both those directions .

The cannabis issue is not only about 'How safe is cannabis?', but also raises the question; 'How dangerous is cannabis prohibition?'. Both issues need to be seriously addressed. The progress towards de facto 'decriminalisation' of simple possession of cannabis in Britain ('Class 'C') is to be welcomed, but is clearly not the full solution, because it fails to fully safe guard public health. Instead of a return to 'Class B' as some are calling for, the only safe solution is the lifting of cannabis prohibition, to be replaced by the establishment of legal regulation of quality and distribution, just like any other consumer product. Anything less fails to protect the public, especially the young and vulnerable, from the serious health and social problems associated with cannabis prohibition.

Cannabis prohibition is the most expensive mistake in British legal history.

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The solution is a 'new deal for cannabis':

•  The lifting of cannabis prohibition to allow freedom for the growing, licensed sale, and safe social or medical use of cannabis in Britain.
•  Quality controls & Health & Safety Regulations as with any other product to protect consumers.
•  Distribution through licensed premises and non-profit cannabis buyer's cooperatives & clubs, plus the right to 'grow your own'.
•  An immediate release of all cannabis prisoners and clearing of all cannabis criminal records.

Full texts of new deal for cannabis (cannabis coalition uk 1998-2002).

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Safe Use, Not Prohibition - The Right to Choose Your Own Medicine - Great Plant, Crazy Law

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Cannabis Education March & Rally, Russel Sq - Trafalgar Sq.
Sunday 15th May 2005.
1-7pm. Everyone invited.

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Organised by the supporters of the 'Cannabis Trust' ('Cannabis Education Research Trust', CERT) including: UK Cannabis Internet Activists (UKCIA) - Campaign to Legalize Cannabis Association (CLCA) - Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) - Tony's Holistic Centre (THC) - THC4MS - CCNEWZ - Mr Nice - Weed World - Hempire News - Hemp Union - THTC - Independent Drug Monitoring Unit - schmoo + Lawyers Against Prohibition, National Union of Cannabis Users (NUCU), and others to be confirmed. Supporters link page

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'How safe is cannabis? How dangerous is cannabis prohibition?'.

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If you would like to speak at this event, be a steward, help publicise the event, or help in any way please email us now. If not now, when?