Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2002
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/144
Author: Jim Morahan and Micheal Lehane
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANNABIS CAMPAIGNER WEEDS HIS WAY OUT OF PROSECUTION

A PRO-CANNABIS campaigner who posted the drug to members of the Oireachtas 
last November is not to be prosecuted. Yesterday Luke Flanagan received a 
letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) confirming that he 
would not face any charges over the incident.

"I knew about this 10 days ago. I'd been waiting for a letter, I got it 
today," said Mr Flanagan yesterday.

"I got a telephone call from the arresting officer, Garda Aidan Kelly, 
based in Pearse Street. I wrote a letter to the DPP last month seeking 
written confirmation."

Mr Flanagan has been jailed for possession of cannabis before. In December 
last year he refused to pay a UKP150 fine and was imprisoned in Castlerea 
Prison.

"Cannabis has been legalised as far as I am concerned," he said. Mr 
Flanagan had sent the cannabis to TDs and senators as part of a campaign to 
legalise the drug.

Commenting on the DPP's decision, Mr Flanagan said: "I find it amazing. The 
next time a person is in court for the possession of cannabis, can they not 
come along and say: 'I know another person who was found in possession of 
cannabis and they are not being prosecuted for it?'

"I cultivated cannabis; the State knows I cultivated cannabis. I am not to 
be prosecuted for it."

The letter from the DPP's office said: "Dear Mr Flanagan, I can confirm 
that a file was received in this office from the gardai and that a decision 
was taken not to prosecute."

Mr Flanagan asked the DPP for a reason for the decision, but was told the 
Director was precluded from giving a reason.

The Department of Justice yesterday insisted there are no plans to legalise 
cannabis. "The law is the same and we're not aware of any moves to change 
it," a spokesperson said. As long as the law remains the same the gardai 
will continue to enforce it, he said
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager