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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Town split over couple s plan for cannabis cafe
The Cumberland News
Friday 02 Nov 2001 ALSTON cannabis campaigners' plans to open one of the country's first Amsterdam-style coffee shops have polarised opinions in the town. Mark Gibson, of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, and his wife Lezley, who won a court battle allowing her to use the drug to relieve multiple sclerosis (MS), are applying for planning permission to convert the greengrocery that they own. If their scheme gets the go-ahead, customers will be able to enjoy "grass" and cannabis resin alongside fresh coffee and soft drinks. Mr Gibson believes the venture would sever the link between soft and hard drugs, while his wife hopes it would provide a meeting point and source of information for fellow medicinal users. Their scheme has attracted support from some unlikely sources. Conservative County Councillor Des Youngman (Alston and East Fellside) said: "I have always thought cannabis was different from other drugs. It can be helpful, and I am not against legalisation. I don't think a coffee shop would increase the numbers of people who are users." Asked whether he would frequent the outlet, he replied: "I would go anywhere. But I would have to have a reason. I wouldn't go for the drugs." Eden District Councillor Bryan Metz (Ind, Alston), said he was neutral on the subject and would not obstruct the plan. He said: "I see little difference between smoking cannabis and smoking tobacco, so if the Government is happy to allow cigarette smoking I see no reason why they can't do the same for cannabis. So many people smoke it now that the Government is just being pragmatic and waking up to that fact." He was sceptical whether the proposed scheme would draw tourists to Alston. "There would be a lot of publicity to start with, and queues of visitors might appear then," he said. "But people aren't going to travel all the way to Alston when they can smoke it already in their homes." But other people regard the proposal as more sinister. Maurice Peddelty, headteacher at Samuel Kings school, said he thought most parents in the town would be concerned if the plan went ahead. He said: "Children need clear guidelines, and the current legislation is giving out mixed messages. We have a hard enough time trying to educate them about the dangers of smoking and under-age drinking. I am not in favour of yet another outlet putting temptation their way." The proprietor of one of the town's cafes said: "I have a feeling that things aren't made illegal for no reason, and one thing leads to another where drugs are concerned. I don't think it would attract the right sort of people to the town." Mr Gibson said he was not aware of any resistance to his proposal. He is, however, looking at an alternative venue in Carlisle, where he hopes there will be a larger and more tolerant client base.
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