POLICE are warning that action will be taken against anybody found with drugs at a pro-cannabis event in Blackburn on Saturday.

The Picnic in the Park has been organised as the North West focus for an international campaign by the International Cannabis Coalition - an umbrella organisation for pro-cannabis groups around the world.

The organisers, the team behind Blackburn-based pro-cannabis magazine Hybrid, say no-one will be actively encouraged to smoke cannabis at the event in Corporation Park.

A spokesman, who did not want to be named, said: "I would love to but I don't think I would be in a position to do that.

"I am not saying that everyone should go in the park and smoke cannabis but if they want to, why shouldn't they? It is better than alcohol."

He said the event was not just about the legalisation of cannabis, but was also intended as a fun gathering for people from all walks of life.

"There is going to be no trouble. People just want to have a picnic," he said. Sergeant Mick Thornber, of Blackburn Police, said no-one had approached them about the event.

"We don't know anything about it and the council don't know anything about it so, as far as we are concerned, there is not a function at Corporation Park on Saturday."

But he added: "I would not encourage anyone to bring drugs to the park, or anywhere else. There will be our usual police presence and anybody committing a drugs offence will be dealt with accordingly."

Posters advertising the event feature a picture of a cannabis leaf.

Other leaflets promoting the event state that the International Cannabis Coalition was formed to "end the prohibition of cannabis worldwide as a matter of urgency".

It adds: "May 1st 1999 has been chosen as the date for a worldwide celebration of cannabis and widespread protest at its misguided prohibition which is causing so much damage worldwide."

The leaflet also carries a disclaimer stating that the coalition does not advocate the contravention of any laws.

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