cannabisnews.com: It's OK To Smoke Dope, England Fans Told It's OK To Smoke Dope, England Fans Told Posted by CN Staff on June 10, 2004 at 22:48:09 PT By Paul Kelso in Lisbon Source: Guardian Unlimited Portuguese police officers will turn a blind eye to England supporters who openly smoke cannabis during Euro 2004, having decided that a stoned crowd is easier to control than a drunk one.Lisbon police confirmed yesterday that England fans will not be arrested for puffing on joints on the streets of the Portuguese capital, following a recommendation from the Dutch authorities responsible for policing the English during Euro 2000. Four years ago England's match in Eindhoven, ironically against Portugal, passed off peacefully as many supporters took advantage of the Netherlands' liberal drugs laws. By contrast the game against Germany in the Belgian town of Charleroi was marred by violence, much of it fuelled by alcohol. Portugal has similarly relaxed legislation to the Dutch and the authorities hope it will help them police the 50,000 supporters expected to arrive in the country in the next few days. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is not illegal in Portugal but, technically, consumption is. However, having liaised with the Dutch, police will not act except in extreme circumstances. Isabel Canelas, a spokeswoman for the Portuguese police, said cannabis would be a low priority during the tournament. "Everyone knows that here everyone can smoke. The police are doing another kind of job and their priorities are different. "We won't be hiding behind doors waiting for someone to smoke a joint. We have to use common sense. If people are smoking but not kicking each other, not beating each other, and not making a problem, why on earth would an officer go and ask 'Is that cannabis?' "If you are quietly smoking and a police officer is 10 metres away, what's the big risk in your behaviour? I'm not going to tap you on the shoulder and ask 'What are you smoking?' if you are posing no menace to others. Our priority is alcohol. "Of course, if people cause a problem through using drugs and become a menace to others, police will be expected to take action. It would be totally different when a police officer realises there's someone trying to sell." Visitors to Lisbon do not have to try too hard to buy the drug. The city does not have "coffee shops" in the Dutch style, but tourists are likely to be offered cannabis by street vendors. Organisers have not restricted the amount of alcohol on sale during the tournament despite the Football Association's concerns. Beer costs just 66p a glass and will be freely available around stadiums and at big screen locations. Eindhoven police spokesman Johann Beelan said cannabis was a positive influence on public order at Euro 2000. "Cannabis ... was part of the conditions which meant everyone had a good time," he said. British police estimated around 3,000 English supporters had arrived in Portugal by last night, but there have been no reports of disorder and no arrests. Source: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK) Author: Paul Kelso in LisbonPublished: Friday, June 11, 2004Copyright: 2004 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles:Biggest Shake-Up of Britains Laws in 30 Yearshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18261.shtmlTough-on-Drugs Britain Softens Line on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13378.shtmlBritain Loosens Up on Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13367.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #23 posted by Virgil on June 14, 2004 at 08:17:58 PT Comment20, we will see next year Do they get the "message"?Euro 2005 will be for the women and hosted by England or the UK. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on June 14, 2004 at 07:59:39 PT Re; Children of Peace w/first paragraph included My daughter is one of those peculiar people that occasionally finds astounding statements coming from her lips. No…not that illness where people can’t control their cursing and noises. She would say extraordinarily wise things out of the blue. Once I became angry over a statement on a TV show. The commentator made the smirking remark that you could always find plenty of raw broccoli in a pot head’s refrigerator. AAAARRGGHHH. It just irked me.My child put her arm around me and said, “Don’t worry, Mama. The children of peace know what’s good for them.”“The children of peace”? I thought that was just remarkable. I put aside the ignorance and unkindness of some people to wonder with joy at the child I have been blessed with.“The children of peace.”Is that what we are? [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on June 14, 2004 at 07:57:22 PT "The children of peace" She would say extraordinarily wise things out of the blue. Once I became angry over a statement on a TV show. The commentator made the smirking remark that you could always find plenty of raw broccoli in a pot head’s refrigerator. AAAARRGGHHH. It just irked me.My child put her arm around me and said, “Don’t worry, Mama. The children of peace know what’s good for them.”“The children of peace”? I thought that was just remarkable. I put aside the ignorance and unkindness of some people to wonder with joy at the child I have been blessed with.“The children of peace.”Is that what we are? [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on June 14, 2004 at 07:44:40 PT Reckon? The riot in London and the relative peace and fun in Lisbon will say anything to the authorities?Do they get the "message"?Probably not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by JSM on June 14, 2004 at 05:28:13 PT English fans riot Some 400 English fans in south London rioted throwing things and injuring 2 policemen after France defeated England in the first match of the Euro Championship.Libson reports one arrest although the police were braced for trouble. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 16:20:53 PT Oh... "That alcohol abuse seems to be increasing presents intriguing questions. What is clear is that no single environmental cause can explain the increase. Further research is an important public health priority." [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 16:16:53 PT Potpal...from article you posted "The fact that alcohol disorder rates are highest among young adults underscores the need for concerted research on drinking patterns that initiate in adolescence," Why? [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by rchandar on June 11, 2004 at 12:46:16 PT: ray and raygun i really don't think they should be both going to the same place--not after all the repression and destruction raygun was responsible for.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by potpal on June 11, 2004 at 12:35:43 PT Related topic... http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/11/alcohol.abuse.reut/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on June 11, 2004 at 09:41:06 PT Hope I know what you mean. I love America and I love those who love it. Sometimes we need to step back from our lives and let the moment in time talk to us. Ah my dearest song is being sung now. Amazing Grace.Ray Charles will never be forgotten! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 09:40:03 PT My soul trembled Ray would probably say he "shook my heart". [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 09:36:13 PT Thank you http://www.raycharles.com/godblessamerica.swfeven with "expecting" it...when his voice came on I experience something quite like I never have before. My upper chest vibrated internally and externally...some kind of joy? Wow.I'm glad it's on continuous loop.My schedule has changed slightly. I have to share the gift you gave me with others. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 11, 2004 at 09:24:58 PT Now I'm Crying That song always make me cry. It's beautiful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 09:23:01 PT Truth Couldn't resist another comment after reading your post.Comment: :)Hope this is posting to where I'm meaning to post it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Truth on June 11, 2004 at 09:20:04 PT I hope I hope that Ray passes Raygun a phatty as they wait in line. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 11, 2004 at 09:13:58 PT Hope This Is for You and Ray Charles! He was wonderful!http://www.raycharles.com/godblessamerica.swf [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 09:02:54 PT Dang I did it again. I meant to post this to another thread, where I was speaking to FoM. You'll see this, FoM. So I won't repost it to the thread we were speaking on. I'm not posting anymore this morning. I'm to frantic with my schedule today. I need to be more careful about my posting. No time for care. Got to hurry. Sorry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Hope on June 11, 2004 at 08:59:04 PT Ray Charles I loved Ray Charles. Once I put on an album of his at a family gathering. I hadn't paid close attention to the album...just my old favorites on it...right in the middle of the family gathering...suddenly...and louder than any other of the songs...it seemed to me, I hear Ray Charles groan out, "Let's go get stoned". :)Maybe Ray and Louis are sharing a good high right now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by potpal on June 11, 2004 at 07:26:26 PT Cannabliss Cannabis in, joy and laughter out... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on June 11, 2004 at 06:58:10 PT Shorter lines at the restrooms Cannabis is less filling and makes things taste great.How did America get so screwed up? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by BigDawg on June 11, 2004 at 05:07:29 PT WOW! Return of the Peace Officers...."If you are quietly smoking and a police officer is 10 metres away, what's the big risk in your behaviour? I'm not going to tap you on the shoulder and ask 'What are you smoking?' if you are posing no menace to others."Now if we can only get them to return to the states. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 11, 2004 at 03:12:42 PT Boondocks Three in a row! Thank you Aaron McGruder!! http://www.ucomics.com/boondocks/2004/06/11/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 11, 2004 at 03:06:48 PT Excellent! A similar article is in the Sun (link below) - I love this quote from the Sun piece:“If people are drinking they lose control, if they smoke cannabis they don’t. Alcohol makes fans fight. But cannabis smokers will be shaking hands and singing along together.” http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004270693,00.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment