A COUNCILLOR has called for Green Pride to be banned from the parks of Brighton and Hove amid concerns around open drug dealing.

Conservative councillor Joe Miller said that he was not opposed to a march through the streets but the event had progressed from its origins as a protest.

Councillor Miller said that his family had been shocked to see drug paraphernalia on sale and drug dealing taking police in front of a heavy police presence in Preston Park in 2019.

There was the smell of cannabis when his father took his four-year-old niece to a play area.

Councillor Miller said: “It was a Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t advertised or anything and he noticed the police were there and there were stalls selling drug paraphernalia and there was clearly drug dealing going on in front of the police.

“And my dad said, ‘what the hell is the council doing letting people do that on the park – and why aren’t the police doing something about it?’

“Everyone has the right to protest. In its early years, it was very much about people marching and protesting against cannabis being a class B drug.

“In recent years the event has had sponsorship and paid-for stalls which is not permitted on a council park without a formal agreement with the council.”

The Argus: Police handed out flyers at last year's event warning that cannabis is illegalPolice handed out flyers at last year's event warning that cannabis is illegal

The event was cancelled last year due to coronavirus.

Now, Councillor Miller plans to ask Brighton and Hove City Council to take steps to prohibit the use of Preston Park or any other council land for Green Pride

He said that he supported the use of medicinal cannabis and CBD oil in line with national legislation.

He hopes to win support at a virtual meeting of the full council, which is due to start at 4.30pm on Thursday and is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.

Green Pride said the event had already been postponed until 2022 because of the pandemic. 

A spokesperson said: "The claim by the councillor that Green Pride wasn't advertised or known by the local authorities is misleading.

"We had several meetings with the council and Sussex Police before the event and we look forward to working with them in the future."