Subj: UK: Revealed: Cannabis clinic bid 



Source: Manchester Metro News



Date: Friday, September 18, 1998







UK: Revealed: Cannabis clinic bid



A cannabis user from Stockport wants to set up the UK's first legal dope 

clinic for people with medical complaints. Colin Davies plans to set up 

a centre in Greater Manchester, based on a project in Los Angeles, where 

state law permits people to grow and use the drug if they have 

officially recognised medical conditions such as muscle spasms, multiple 

sclerosis and arthritis.



Mr Davies, recently charged of drugs charges after it was revealed he 

smoked cannabis joints to relieve pain caused by a broken back, said he 

had no wish to break the law.



But he called on the government to update its policy, in order for such 

centres to operate legally.



The 40-year-old former carpenter plans to visit the USA later this year 

to see how the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Centre operates on a 

day-to-day basis.



State law there allows people with doctors' certificates to use cannabis 

for medical purposes.



Scott Imler, the centre's president, said: "We are growing it together 

and we share the cost of doing it. We work very closely with the police 

and the city.



"It's bad enough having to deal with illness, without having to go out 

and get it from the black market"



Mr Davies, who lives in Brinnington, said: "I would like to set up one 

of these centres over here, if I can find a sponsor. It would involve 

cannabis being supplied for medical reasons.



"It would be the UK cannabis club, working on the same basis as the one 

in Los Angeles.



"I don't want to do anything illegal, but the law needs to be taken up 

to the same point that it is over in Los Angeles.



"I have an open invitation to go and see how they do things over there 

and I'm hoping to go over before Christmas."



Derek Williams, from the Legalise Cannabis campaign, said: "Cannabis is 

very good medically.



"It contains a lot of beneficial things. I believe it should be made 

widely available as quickly as possible."



Dr Tom Carnwath, from the Trafford Drugs Team, explained that more 

research was going into the medical benefits of the drug.  



He said: "The government has followed the lead of the British Medical 

Association and relaxed its guidelines with regard to this, allowing 

more research into cannabis. But this man can't just set up this place.

"He would have to get a licence from the home office and they're not 

giving them out."





POLICE WARN DEALERS OVER LEGAL DOPE SEEDS



Police have issued a warning to dealers buying cannabis seeds from 

legitimate stores before growing and selling the drugs.

The statement comes after the launch of the new cannabis shop Buzzin 

Budz in Tib Street, where the seeds are legally sold.

Police have vowed to come down hard on dealers moving in on Buzzin Budz 

or any other store in the area, with sellers facing court and possible 

imprisonment.

Cannabis-users were also reminded that they could face prosecution, even 

for possessing small amounts.

A police spokesman said: "If we receive information there might be 

people trying to purchase the seeds for supply purposes, that's a 

different matter.

"Intent to supply is serious. It all depends on the circumstances. If he 

or she is carrying a sackful around, it would be hard to justify it was 

for their own consumption.

"And even if it's just for your own use and it's a fairly small amount, 

we can still prosecute."

Buzzin Budz owner, Dave Stevenson, told Metro he'd had no problems with 

the police since he opened a fortnight ago.

"They've popped in socially to make sure everything is OK," he said.

"I'm treated like any other retail outlet. There's nothing we are doing 

that's illegal."



COPS DON'T BOTHER US, SAY SHOPKEEPERS



Dope seeds are openly available across the counter at up to half a dozen 

shops in Greater Manchester.

The seeds are available from stores in both Manchester and Stockport, 

with Buzzin Budz in Tib Street being the latest addition.

Traders are legally entitled to sell the seeds, as long as they give no 

advice on cultivating the products into the popular drug.

Other shops currently selling the controversial seed packets include 

Toking Smoking in the Coliseum and the alternative clother store 

Cobwebs, in Underbank, Stockport.

Both premises sell a range of dope seeds and said there had been little 

interference from the police.

Ian Titterington, one of the owners of Toking Smoking, which sells a 

variety of seeds, said: "I've been selling the cannabis seeds for the 

last three years. It's legal until they are geminated. The police don't 

bother."

Pete Bauer, manager at Cobwebs said: "We sell all kinds of seeds, like 

Durban Girl and Thai Seeds."