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[T3RM!N4T0R]

It's OK to smoke dope, England fans told

Paul Kelso in Lisbon
Friday June 11, 2004
The Guardian

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.

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From NICK PARKER in Portugal

ENGLAND fans will be allowed to smoke dope before Sunday?s crunch clash with France ? to keep them calm.

Cops in Lisbon plan to crack down on drunk supporters while turning a blind eye to those spotted puffing on a spliff.

Pot-smoking fans have been assured they will not be arrested, cautioned ? or even have their drugs confiscated.

Last night experts said the Portuguese police?s ?Here We Blow? policy would reduce chances of a punch-up between rival fans.

Alan Buffry of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: ?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.?

Dutch police used a similar policy in Euro 2000 and England?s hooligan element were too stoned to fight.

A Lisbon police spokeswoman said: ?If people cause a problem through drugs and become a menace then police will take action. But when this doesn?t happen why should the police be the ones making the fuss??

More than 600 officers will be on duty for England?s opening group game at Lisbon?s Stadium of Light.

Fans who seem to be drunk may be breath-tested and refused entry.

[Svenson]

Goede beslissing van ze, het klopt ook gewoon, bleek wel in 2000, misschien dat dit in meer landen een openheid over wiet en het gebruik bewerkstelligt

mzzl

[nordth]

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.

Hmm, zelfs politie-mensen zeggen dat het gebruik van cannabis voor minder problemen zorgt.
Ik snap het probleem van de meeste mensen niet, die cannabis een GROOT risico vinden voor de maatschappij. Terwijl de meeste van hun dagelijks een biertje drinkt, en dat wel gewoon normaal gevonden wordt. (anders dan cannabis, veroorzaakt alcohol VEEL MEER negativiteit)

Rare mensen die mensen..

En het is trouwens een goede keuze van hun. Wat dat stuk tekst ook al zegt, veel minder overlast. Misschien een idee om nog eens een EK in Nederland te laten spelen.

[mind]

doet me een beetje denken aan dat nummer van de streets, the irony of it all..

[T3RM!N4T0R]

Met een beetje geluk wordt het zo overal wel duidelijk dat cannabis nog lang zo slecht niet is.
Zouden we zo slim worden, zouden we het eindelijk inzien?

[solomon]

Heel goed, als dit zo door zet wordt het alleen maar mooier op de wereld.

[Liquid_Spy]

Ok, nu het beleid van 'zo lang niemand problemen veroorzaakt, waarom ingrijpen?' nog even een stukkie verder doortrekken en het begint al ergens op te lijken =P