An awareness demonstration calling for the ban on marijuana to be lifted has been scheduled for next month, to take place all over downtown Reykjavík.
In a statement organisers sent the press, they take issue with the “scare tactics” being used in the media and what they see as stereotypes and inaccuracies.
“We want the sale [of marijuana] to be legalised and supervised,” the statement reads in part. “With the sale through a doctor, the market is taken out of the underground that young people pay into, which ends up supporting the importing of harder material.”
Included in the statement is a link to an article from the Ministry of Health, responding to complaints made about statements from Þórarin Tyrfingsson, the head doctor at the rehab centre Vogur. In the article, the ministry cites studies which show marijuana to be less addictive than alcohol and tobacco, and that there is no evidence that marijuana necessarily leads to harder drugs, despite claims made to the contrary.
The protest itself is scheduled to take place on 20 April – a date often associated with protests in favour of the reformation of marijuana law. Participants are encouraged to use chalk to draw marijuana leaves on the sidewalks of downtown Reykajvík, and then take photos.
A Facebook page has been set up by the organisers of the event. A general meeting has been tentatively scheduled for the beginning of April.
Related:
Reggae And Doing Housework: Warning Signs Your Child Smokes Pot
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
