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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cannabis man arrested at cafe opening
BBC Online
Friday 14 Sep 2001 A drugs campaigner has been arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to supply after attempting to open the UK's first Amsterdam-style marijuana cafe. Colin Davies, who has called for legalisation of the drug for medicinal purposes, was taken away by two plain clothes detectives from his cafe in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The arrest came on Saturday just minutes after he had opened the doors of "The Dutch Experience", a cafe modelled on the coffee shops of Amsterdam. A scuffle broke out shortly after 1000 BST between Mr Davies and members of Greater Manchester Police, which had promised to rigorously enforce the law regarding cannabis. Disabled users Fifteen minutes later he was led away amidst shouts from his supporters, one who cried: "He's a healer not a dealer." A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said: "A man has been arrested for the possession of cannabis with intent to supply." More police officers arrived at 1030 BST and entered the cafe where they carried out a search of everybody there. Supporters of Mr Davies began smoking cannabis outside the cafe as the police watched. Wheelchair users lit pipes filled with the drug as police officers stood yards away. 'Undignified experience' Several people were arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis. Kate Bradley, a former policewoman with West Midlands Police, has smoked cannabis since 1991 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Mrs Bradley, of Telford, Shropshire, was not arrested and was pushed in her wheelchair out of the cafe. She said that when the police raided the premises it was an "undignified and horrendous experience". Mr Davies founded the Medical Marijuana Co-operative to help fellow pain sufferers by providing them with cannabis. Broken spine He said he was forced to use the drug out of medical necessity and supplied it to two sufferers of multiple sclerosis for the same reason. Mr Davies, who lives in Stockport, had flagged up the cafe as "the UK's first Medipot Coffee Shop". He said the cafe had facilities to accommodate disabled visitors who used the drug for pain relief. Mr Davies' father, 71-year-old Colin Davies, said his son smoked the drug to relieve his pain since he broke his spine in a 70-feet fall down a riverbank four years ago.
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