From:
http://www.ccguide.org.ukSource: Evening Echo, UK
Pub Date: Monday, 2 September 2002
Subj: Southend: Cannabis cafe is planned
URL:
http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/Cited: Legalise Cannabis Alliance
http://www.lca-uk.orgCANNABIS CAFE IS PLANNED
A mystery businessman plans to open a cannabis cafe in Southend, it has been revealed.
More than 50 people gathered in Priory Park, yesterday at an event called the Smokey Bears Picnic, organised by the Legalise Cannabis Alliance.
A spokesman for Southend Police said: "The police haven't been involved because it all seems to be going off quite quietly down there."
Organiser Don Barnard, of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said: "I think it's a good turnout considering we didn't do any real advertising. The fact there's at least 50 people here justifies a cannabis coffee shop in Southend."
The owner of a Southend shop which sells cannabis paraphernalia is claiming none of the goods available to buy were illegal.
Kerry Barker-Lee who opened Chuffed on Pier Hill, Southend, with Tom Foulkes, said there had been a lot of interest and trade was "doing well".