THE regional arm of the political party campaigning for the decriminalisation of cannabis has been hit with a second fine in six months for breaches of electoral regulations.
CISTA – Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol – has been docked £8,000 by the Electoral Commission for failing to deliver reports of donations and loans.
The party fielded four candidates in Northern Ireland in last year's general election and plans to run in West Tyrone and Foyle in next month's assembly poll.
In December the Electoral Commission imposed a £3,250 fine on CISTA for failing to provide any financial returns, which has since been paid.
The commission's Bob Posner said: "We have significant concerns about this party’s willingness to comply with the rules.
"We will continue to impose fines, and take any other action we consider necessary, to bring this party into compliance."
