Polish politician tries to smoke pot in parliament

[January 20, 2012]  WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- The leader of a new left-wing party in Poland is threatening to light up a joint in parliament.

It's part of a campaign by Janusz Palikot to get soft drugs legalized, and otherwise liberalize the conservative country.

But his attempt has put him on a collision course with the parliament speaker, who has taken swift action to stop him.

Ewa Kopacz vowed Friday not to let Palikot break the law in parliament, and said that she has reported him to prosecutors.

Palikot, head of Palikot's Movement, plans to introduce a draft law to parliament on Friday decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

He said he also planned to light up a joint in one of the rooms of the large building.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.