This morning, about 70 people from the Platform of citizens affected by the closure of the association Pannagh have offered a press conference, of which 30 have not dared to appear in the images, for various reasons related to stigma maintaining social about cannabis. Another large group has submitted their written commitment. It was expected that the press conference offered by the association itself Pannagh, but for suspension of activities of the association by the Court of Instruction No. 1 of Bilbao has been prevented. In addition, the Bilbao City Council denied a last minute local that was set aside for it, forcing a change of venue.

Martín Alonso Barriuso, member nr. 1 and Pannagh president and main accused in the case, began by thanking the support received during the last two weeks by individuals and organizations from many countries. Also reported that Kultur Elkartea Gorripidea has opened an account with the number 3035-0104-27-1040051014, where you can make donations to pay 15,000 euros bail imposed by the court and to finance the expenditures arising from the defense, since the association has been no money.

We demand a clear legal regulation for the cultivation, possession, consumption and distribution of cannabis in order to end the current situation of legal insecurity. If not we will we suffer again and again police and judicial interventions despite that fact that we have already won the case on the legality of our operations. In this sense, the members of Pannagh support the proposal for legal regulation approved today by the Federation of Cannabis Associations (FAC).

Yesterday afternoon, agents of the municipal police of Bilbao entered the office of the Association Pannagh and detained its president Martin Barriuso and two other members accusing them of drug trafficking.

At about 17.00 hs several police patrols showed up in Deusto and without any explanation started to search the premises and detain all persons present. Since then the detained have been kept in isolation, waiting to be interrogated. They have only been allowed to leave the police office in order to accompany the legal registration of Pannaghs premises and the confiscation of various materials.

Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) has published a report from the Independent Drug Monitoring Unit (IDMU) that shows a tax & regulate policy on cannabis could produce a net benefit to the UK economy of £6.7 billion per annum.

This estimate is made from a detailed study of the size of the UK cannabis market, potential tax revenues, criminal justice system savings and additional costs of regulation including health information and education.

The THC model aims to encourage the introduction of a pragmatic and rational regulation of cannabis in the Netherlands. The model is based on the experience and expertise of the parties directly involved, enjoys widespread support, and is practically feasible. As long as our country continues to combat large-scale export, there is sufficient opportunity to modernise our policy towards cannabis. The unmistakable trend towards the decriminalisation of cannabis in Portugal, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, the US and South America should serve to support and encourage those Dutch politicians who have sufficient courage and vision to shoulder their social responsibility in this area.