Police today vowed to take action against people caught with drugs at a pro-cannabis party in Priory Park, Southend.
Publicity for the Smoky Bears' Picnic on September 1 urges people to "bring flags, banners, musical instruments and anything else you would expect to find."
Essex Police warned that using cannabis in public could result in arrest.
Insp Darren Wiles said: "The possession of cannabis is still illegal and anyone caught in possession of it, as in any situation, will be dealt with by officers accordingly."
Although it is widely anticipated that cannabis is to be reclassified from a class B to a class C drug, this has yet to be formally approved by Parliament.
A spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: "We are not directly involved in the arrangements, we are just the messenger, but we will have representatives in attendance seeking out supporters."
Published Monday August 19, 2002
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