An Unaffordable Prejudice – A Report To The Home Affairs Committee Concerning The Cannabis Laws
Probably the worst part of becoming leader of Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) has been learning how to deal with the abuse and vitriolic jealousy that has been directed at me.
In fact it started even before my election when I set up the British Medicinal Cannabis Register (BMCR). Immediately, some individuals accused me of being an undercover cop, of trying to cheat medicinal users into incriminating themselves. I was astonished at the divisiveness, backstabbing and bitterness within the cannabis community. I was accused of making money out of it and exploitation – ridiculous ideas to anyone with an ounce of common sense
You will know the rest. It got even worse. A Peter Reynolds “hate site” was set up by a psychotic breakaway from UK420 which made a series of completely ludicrous and false allegations about me. Everything I had ever said about myself was untrue, apparently. I was said to be a fascist, a Jew hater, a racist, etc, etc, etc.
I published evidence of my previous work and the trolls and numpties faded away – but not completely. Even in quite close proximity, some who you might expect to be supportive of the progress we have achieved recently, have grumbled and groaned and suggested that I have not been truthful about my record in the cannabis campaign. Those who prefer to look backwards rather than forwards continue to quibble.
Last week my ex-wife cleared out her loft. My sons salvaged a copy of the report I submitted to the Home Affairs committee nearly 30 years ago. It was in 1983, not in 1978 as I had said previously – which will probably bring yet more accusations!
So here it is, printed on a daisy wheel printer, with finger marks and smudges intact. It’s amazing really because this was written even before the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and that is the only real difference in the argument I presented then from what I would say today.
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Cameron On Cannabis Part 7
"Pass me that doobie and I'll consider it"
Beyonce On Cannabis
Babe, the bong is the beautiful way to peace and happiness. Mary Jane is my patron saint.
Beyonce, Glastonbury 2011
Bono On Cannabis
If I said I’d been skydiving you’d think I was cool. Cannabis is much, much safer and it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Bono, Glastonbury 2011
Obama The Man
History
My thoughts here will be few and far between now. My focus is on CLEAR and I am learning to moderate my opinion because I have chosen a single issue. If I strike out in a particular direction I divert my own and others’ energy from the cause.
On Obama though, no man or woman of intelligence can fail to see the progress that he represents, whatever our particular grumbles about him. However cynical your view of politics, he is better than what has gone before.
So I am very pleased to see his power re-invigorated and his very well-judged presence in Britain. Whatever the pallava and retinue around him, his personal truth shines through and, my God, we need leadership in this difficult and challenging world.
I’ll be here until further notice: www.clear-uk.org
Paradise Valley
The early summer has made the valley explode into life. Read the latest instalment here.
WANTED. DEAD OR ALIVE.
For gross violation of all the ethics of friendship.
For deserting his friends and mates and running off to the US of A.
For flagrantly, negligently and with smug aforethought, glorifying in his experience of Colorado’s finest farms, dispensaries and marijuana with no thought whatsoever for the misery and dereliction of his chums…
Left behind…
In Blighty.
THIS MAN MUST BE CAUGHT!
Hippies In Suits
Clark French
Yesterday at the Cardiff Million Marijuana March, the Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) party deployed its new secret weapon – hippies in suits.
It disconcerts the enemy. They don’t know how to take it, particularly when they’re asked politely to read our material. Before they know it, they’re smiling back!
Go to the CLEAR website for the full story.
Peter Reynolds
Rhys Morgan
Appeal For Help – Did you attend Hyde Park 420?
There was an outbreak of violence in the early evening and the police are appealing for witnesses. We should do all that we can to help them.
DC Tony Esmond contacted me today and he is looking for witnesses to the violence to whom he can show some photographs of suspects. He is not interested in why you were in Hyde Park or anything to with cannabis. He wants to catch the thugs who inflicted serious injury on several people. I would count it as a personal favour from anyone who is prepared to do the right thing and step forward.
Contact DC Esmond on 020 7321 9315 or 020 7321 9364. Leave a message if he’s not there.
If you did witness the trouble then you should step forward. It is the right thing to do. Any society needs law and order and police to enforce it. Although we may use cannabis, we are still entitled to the protection of the law and we should support the police, particularly when violence is involved.
This is also an opportunity to demonstrate that we are reasonable, responsible and respectable citizens. Co-operating with the police over this strengthens our argument for the change in the law that we all want to see.
My understanding of what happened is that it was a perfect demonstration of why a regulated system for cannabis is a safer and more responsible approach. It was a turf war between two groups of dealers – the inevitable result of prohibition.
What is really ironic is that CLEAR had intended to organise an event in Hyde Park tomorrow, 7th May, to coincide with the international Million Marijuana March. We invested considerable time, effort and money in applying to the Royal Parks for permission. We agreed to pay a substantial bond, take out insurance, provide stewards at a ratio of 1:20 and undertake to clear up all litter. They didn’t actually deny us permission but they refused to allow us to use a stage or a PA – even though we pointed out that this would enhance public safety and order. Consequently we decided not to go ahead and instead we are running an event in Cardiff tomorrow where we have received constructive and positive co-operation from the authorities.
So the unofficial, unregulated and un-stewarded event at Hyde Park went ahead on 20th April with its own PA and look what happened. I left at around 5.30pm when the atmosphere was still peaceful but it was evident that a massive clean up operation was going to be needed. I hope that the Royal Parks will learn a lesson from this. I shall be writing to them pointing out what a foolish mistake they made.
So I urge you to contact DC Esmond if you have any information or if you witnessed any of the trouble. Now it should be obvious but If you go to the police station to look at photographs, don’t go there stinking of weed and check your pockets to make sure you aren’t carrying anything you shouldn’t be. You don’t want to put any of the officers or yourself in a difficult position!
(Yes, I did have a little chat with DC Esmond about cannabis. I sent him a copy of the medicinal cannabis leaflet and a link to the LEAP website. Well you’ve got to try, haven’t you!)
The Most Immoral Man In Britain
Douglas Murray is an abomination. He is deeply, deeply corrupt, perverse and evil. I have long despised his disgusting attitudes but his perfomance on Question Time tonight was shameful. The BBC gives him an extraordinary amount of air time. Who is he doing what favours for? In the past year I have made four complaints about his behaviour on televison but, of course, the BBC complaints system, as so many know, is a self-serving deception and worse than useless.
The sickest joke of all is that Murray is the director of the Centre For Social Cohesion. There is no more divisive man in Britain.
Peter Reynolds 