Thursday, March 15, 2012 -

    PCC Complaint. Northants Evening Telegraph, 23rd February 2012

    —– Original Message —–
    From: Peter Reynolds
    To: complaints@pcc.org.uk
    Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 5:47 PM
    Subject: Complaint against the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, issue dated 23rd February 2012

    Dear Sirs,

    “Drugs factory raided”, Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 23-02-12

    I wish to make a complaint concerning the above article. I have been made aware of it as a result of a response from the editor of the Harborough Mail in connection with PCC complaint no. 121202

    I make the complaint on my own account but also in my capacity as the Leader of Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR), a UK political party, of P.O.Box 674, Salfords, Redhill, RH1 9BN. For the purposes of correspondence, please use my personal address as below.

    1. The article breaches clause 1.i) of the code in that it publishes inaccurate, misleading and distorted information.

    2. The article states: “Police are warning that when cannabis plants reach the final stages of maturity the odour they release has carcinogenic properties.”

    This is inaccurate, misleading and distorted, It is absolute nonsense with no basis in science at all. It can only be a deliberate attempt to deceive. No one with even the most basic knowledge of the subject could make such a howling error. If this information was provided by the police then the journalist and editor concerned have failed in their duty to take reasonable steps to check the facts.

    3. The article continues: “Officers who deal with the plants use ventilation masks and protective suits and people who have plants in their home, especially anyone with young children, may be exposing their family to a health risk”.

    This is inaccurate, misleading and distorted, It is absolute nonsense with no basis in science at all. It can only be a deliberate attempt to deceive and to cause fear and consternation amongst anyone who might come into contact with cannabis plants. It is scaremongering of the most dishonest and irresponsible kind.

    4. I ask that the commission should censure the newspaper, the editor and the journalist concerned in the strongest possible terms and should require a very prominent front page correction and apology. A complaint has also been made to Northamptonshire Police.

    I would be grateful if you would deal with this complaint at your earliest convenience. I shall be happy to provide any further information required or to give oral evidence in support.

    Yours faithfully,

    Peter Reynolds

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    Related news:

    1. PCC Complaint. The Belfast Telegraph, 23rd June 2011
    2. PCC Complaint. Lancashire Telegraph, 23rd August 2011
    3. PCC Complaint. Harborough Mail, 3rd March 2012
    4. UPDATE On PCC Complaint. Lancashire Telegraph, 23rd August 2011
    5. PCC Complaint. The Daily Mail, 18th February 2012
    • james bull
    • http://www.facebook.com/Zobbster Henry Johnson

      I’m absolutely stunned by what was written in that article!!!
      How on earth did they come to the conclusion that a PLANT growing can give off carcinogens?!!Does the author of the piece have brain damage, or learning difficulties?!

    • Anonymous

      Couldn’t believe my eyes at first, but it is, in fact, all happening in Britain!
      Land of Newton, Darwin, Hawking and the most prestigious schools in the world.. HA! :
      It is a time where anyone can call himself a Journalist.. Who needs a diploma, when they have SEEN stuff..?

      @facebook-861685163:disqus Broccoli causes that state (but only when eaten with Vietnamese chopsticks on a Tuesday, in the company of three dudes by the name of Jones, wearing Hawaiian suits..)

    • Anonymous

      I hope I’m wrong but from this report and the link that james bull supplied, it seems that this could be the new scare tactic to replace or reinforce the psychosis one. That’s what happens; they replace one scare story with another so we never get closer to changing the law.

    • Anonymous

      Henry – Bracken gives off a carcinogenic terpene called ptaquiloside. there are probably others but as far as I’m aware there are none in cannabis. This is just another example of desperation in keeping the reefer madness brigade in gin and tonics.

    • Anonymous

      when i was “caught”  the lady officer told me that the plants give off spores that can get into your lungs and into your skin and that i was posing a health risk to my family! ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!