Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2005
Source: Daily Record (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/111
Website: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Author: Steven Ventura

WE'VE MADE A REAL HASH OF IT: COPS PROMOTE A WEBSITE TO LEGALISE DOPE

Dopey cops warning shopkeepers about the law on cannabis pipes are
directing them to a website which campaigns to legalise the drug.

The gaffe by Strathclyde Police comes after a Glasgow trader had UKP
3000-worth of stock seized.

The haul included pipes, water pipes known as bongs, and magazines
outlining cultivation of the controlled substance.

A trader asked Strathclyde police for advice on selling his products -
and was referred to a website which sets out the Misuse of Drugs Act.

But the information is found at the home of the UK Cannabis Internet
Activists protest group.

The body campaigns to have the drug made legal.

And they also give detailed instructions on how to smoke, eat and grow
dope.

The trader - who didn't want to be named - said: 'This is the main
base for the movement to legalise cannabis and has links to campaign
groups around the country

Blunder

'It doesn't fill you with much confidence when the same people who are
threatening to come to your shop and seize your goods are referring
you to the pro-cannabis movement.

'It makes you wonder how much they know about drugs and the
law.

'It's incredible.' Yesterday the SNP's justice spokesman Kenny
MacAskill criticised the police over their blunder.

He said: 'They should have known better.

'I have no doubt that they are extremely embarrassed.'

And Strathclyde Police thanked the Record for highlighting the
error.

A spokeswoman said: 'We take the issue very seriously.'

They said they would now be referring traders to the Home Office
website for details on the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin