THE organisers of Green Pride have confirmed the cannabis "protestival" has been postponed until next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It comes after a Conservative councillor called for the "celebration of cannabis" to be banned from the parks of Brighton and Hove amid concerns around open drug dealing.

Joe Miller said his father stumbled on the event and asked: "What the hell is the council doing letting people do that on the park – and why aren’t the police doing something about it?"

The organisers of Green Pride - which has been cancelled for two years in a row due to coronavirus - have hit back at his comments.

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.”

Councillor Joe 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.

He said he 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.

The Argus: The last time the popular event took place was 2019The last time the popular event took place was 2019

The matter will be discussed at a virtual meeting of the full council, which is due to start at 4.30pm tomorrow and is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.

Green Pride is organised by Brighton Cannabis Club which aims to change the law around the Class B substance.

The event is described online as "a day to celebrate cannabis, pride and unity in one of Brighton's prestigious parks".

Writing online, the group encouraged people to write to the council at democratic.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk in support of the event.