CAMPAIGNERS who want to fight the UK’s “out of date” cannabis laws are to hold a mass protest in Redditch to “hit” Home Secretary and town MP Jacqui Smith “where it most hurts”.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 18th

From 11 am to 7 pm

REDDITCH

More information: CCGUIDE

The man behind Protest London, known as Pinky, has organised a protest in October from 11am in Market Street, in the town centre.

The planned Redditch protest follows one in London which was held recently when thousands of people gathered in the streets to voice their support for the legalisation of cannabis.

Pinky said: “On September 28, 2008, 80 years has passed since cannabis became illegal to use. It was made illegal because no one knew if cannabis was a harmful drug or not.”

He said since the law was passed, nobody had been able to prove that cannabis caused any harm to users.

Pinky uses the drug for medicinal purposes but is also standing up for those people who use the drug for recreational purposes.

He said: “Cannabis should be controlled, taxed and licensed. The current law is completely out of date.

“The protest in Redditch will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 11am-7pm. Redditch is the home of Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary. We will hit her where it hurts most – home.”

And in a letter to Jacqui Smith – which appears on the Protest London website, he said: “The protest will be large, too large for Redditch to handle. We will close roads with barricades of disabled people in wheelchairs if this is what’s needed for us to get noticed.”

Pinky said he and fellow campaigners had contacted Jacqui Smith but received no response and that Ms Smith had completely ignored advice given to her by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, where most of its members judged that cannabis should remain a Class C drug and not be upgraded.

He added: “The very least we want from this Redditch protest is a meeting with Jacqui Smith. If she fails to grant us one, we will continue being in her face until she agrees.”

Sgt Richard Edwards, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: “We are aware of the planned protest and are liaising with Redditch Council on the suitability of the proposed location.

“We are committed to ensuring that local residents and business can go about their lawful business undisturbed at the same time as recognising the rights of those who seek to carry out legitimate protests.

“We will ensure the demonstration is peaceful and does not cause any inconvenience to members of the public or highway obstruction.”

Jacqui Smith did not wish to comment on the protest.

The group is seeking donations towards the cost of the protest. Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.protestlondon.co.uk and click on the donate button

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