What a dope

Had a problem getting your daily black? Want some skunk but don't know where to look? Come on down to Greenwich Market and visit our new Cannabis Court. Sadly that's not as far-fetched as it should be.

There is a trader on the market who comes in as late as he likes and never has his pitch given away. A trader whose prime pitch goes against Barmy's "only for designer-makers" policy. A trader who seems to have a guardian angel. A trader who doesn't just sell the usual Greenwich Market stuff.

What they do sell has been smoked by half the market staff who've ever passed through. Their main business (not the visible one) is common knowledge among other traders, but they don't seem concerned. Can there be an explanation for their confidence?

Smoking ganja is commonplace in Greenwich Market. If you're planning on rolling a joint, the traders' men's toilets are the usual place. Even trader's children have blundered in on this activity. Can the management not know?

There may be a ready explanation for the dealer's nonchalance and the users' indiscretion. Here's an extract from a letter printed in the Camden New Journal on the 20th December 2001:-

I write with reference to the recent statement by the Home Office on the legalisation of cannabis and ecstasy. Councillor Jane Roberts, leader of Camden Council, has also raised this issue with statements made to the Camden New Journal.

Camden Lock manager Barney Crockford wishes to open the first marijuana café in Camden Lock despite the immense drug problems in Camden Town. I would like to say that this is such an important matter that it should have been raised in the Government's election manifesto and not sprung on the public by the Home Secretary a few months later.

Jose Kelly
Bayham Street
NW1

I'm not making a point about the pros and cons of cannabis. I just wonder what sort of market you want and what sort of people you want running it.

A few more facts for the curious. Cannabis is currently a Class C drug and has never been legal. Possession is a criminal offence punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment. After reclassification to Class B that penalty will rise to 5 years. The maximum penalty for supply, dealing, production or trafficking is 14 years imprisonment. I'm not sure what the penalty is for turning a blind eye.

The Home Office is stiffening up enforcement right now. The land on which Greenwich Market sits is Government property. I think we can expect the authorities to take a dim view.