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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cannabis Campaigner Suffers Two Siezures In Prison
LCA Press Release
Monday 26 Nov 2001 Cannabis campaigner and medical user Colin Davis [famous for handing the Queen a pose of cannabis, to highlight its medical properties SEE EDITORS NOTE (1)] who was remanded into prison by Stockport Magistrates last week for running the UK's first coffee shop has been transferred to the hospital wing in Manchester's Strangeways prison. Sources close to Mr Davis said it is believed as his Colin hasn't had access to his cannabis he suffered two seizures and is now being given morphine in the prison hospital to ease the pain Mr Davis is to make an application for bail to Judge and chambers on Monday [today] November 26, 2001 THE STORY TO DATE As you may know at 1.30pm on Tuesday the 20 November 2001, while the BBC was inside filming the Stockport's Dutch Experience cannabis cafe for a program about drug policy, the police turned up and 15 people were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance including Colin Davies the co-owner, three were charge with possession of cannabis and bailed by the magistrates others were given warnings. Mr Davis was not so lucky despite his obvious illness and the potential harm sending him to prison could cause. Magistrates [at the police request] remanded Colin into custody in Srangeways prison. - SEE EDITORS NOTE (2). LCA spokesperson Mark Gibson said. "The court was full, some people were very distressed and many were seen visibly wiping tears. "those two old biddy's in there blatantly refuse to listen to the defence, or the (heartbreaking) plea of Collins mother but instead jailed Colin and denied him his vital medicine, I hope they can sleep at nights - shame on them. MORE CANNABIS CAMPAIGNERS ARRESTED ON SATURDAY A peaceful protest in support of Colin held outside Stockport police station resulted in further arrests for cannabis possession, ten people due to appear in court on Tuesday - SEE EDITORS NOTES (3). A spokesperson said "People around the country are fed up disgusted that the police and magistrates should continue arresting and locking people in jail when there is obviously no need or real justification in law for such a draconian measures. "They are also confused why the police after being aware "tolerant" of the DE cafe operation for two months should suddenly appear at the cafe, in full battle mode and arrest everyone. - SEE EDITORS NOTES (4). One protester said "Colin has put himself on the line for rights of every cannabis user he is entitled to their support, this is only the beginning one big push now could end this silly war on some drugs. FURTHER PROTESTS ARE PLANNED: Some of those arrested on Saturday are intending to get arrested again, one said, "we are at a turning point, this is a grass-roots campaign to overturn the cannabis laws, backed by the public at large, the media, the medical profession, the police and many other groups." "We can not let them treat Colin Davies like this or close the Dutch Experience, we will keep going back to be arrested - until they finally stop this crazy waste of public money. We know that with so much more notice - hundreds will gather to show their support for us." "We are fighting this campaign for the people - let the people speak with their feet and be in Stockport this coming Saturday (1st December), and show the government that the people have spoken." More information on this; Phone Nol van Schaik (Dutch partner in the cafe) 0031 651852545 Mike Cottee 01823 259615 or 07815 452212 OR The Dutch Experience cafe 0161 480 5902 - it's still open? check the special link on the front page of www.WHSpliff.net for up to date information. If I can be of further assistance on this or any other cannabis related issues please feel free to contact me. Kind regards Don Barnard Press liaison Officer The Legalise Cannabis Alliance, PO Box 198, Norwich, NR2 2DH tel: 07940 485115 don.barnard@lineone.net http://www.lca-uk.org EDITORS NOTES: 1] Mr Davies has twice been acquitted by Crown Court juries on charges of possession with intent to supply, on the grounds that he was a medical user and supplier to other medical users. Mr Davies is also famous for handing the Queen a pose of cannabis, to highlight its medical properties, during a walk-about in Stockport. See photo at www.WHSpliff.net/Fun1.html 2] Court report **Reporting restrictions were lifted... In response to the prosecution and the police request for a remand in custody Mr Davis via his solicitor offered to effectively closing down the DE cafe to support a bail application Colin gave assurances; - not re-offend; - not attend the premises of the Dutch Experience cafe; - accept restriction not visit Stockport; - Relinquish the lease of the Dutch experience to his landlord. Despite these assurance and a plea from Collins mother who cried out he could stay with her coupled with a promise from Colin he would not leave her home. The magistrates (2 mature ladies) refused bail and remanded him in custody for 1 week. SEE ALSO COURT REPORT IN THE STOCKPORT EXPRESS, posted at www.WHSpliff.net/DEraid5.html 3] On Saturday 24 November DE cafe customers, and supporters plus many sick people who use cannabis for their ills march to the police station, to protest about what they see as a totally unnecessary, shocking, unacceptable, and treacherous intervention by the police. Outside the police station, several protestors holding A banner reading 'Colin Davies is a Healer, not a Dealer.' lit what appeared to be large joints and offered themselves for arrest. Chris Baldwin, a wheelchair user was first, follow closely by Patman also in a wheelchair quickly followed by more. Ten people have been charged and due to appear in court on Tuesday. This story is in the UKCIA news database, at http://www.ukcia.org/newsite/new_news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=4523 It originated at http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_457793.html 4] 20/11/97 The Independent on Sunday reported Chief Inspector Ron Clarke [Former head of Manchester drug squad] as saying his experience on the city streets led him to believe the first step towards reforming our approach to the developing drug problem should be to decriminalise the use of cannabis "You could save a fortune at a stroke, and the money could be better spent on health awareness and education programmes." ... "In the beginning, like everyone else, I was convinced that this was a law and order issue and that we had he resources to enforce our will and the law," he said. "Towards the end of my service I saw that this was really a medical issue. I got tired of seeing otherwise innocent young kids from all walks of life getting criminal records for, in effect, doing nothing more than millions on of other people in society were doing with alcohol". The Observer Sunday 11 Nov 2001 Manchester Police said in a statement: 'We recognise there is ongoing debate and research into the medical benefits or otherwise of cannabis. The police, in appropriate cases, exercise discretion and judgment.' http://www.ukcia.org/newsite/new_news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=4452 20/11/01 Superintendent Richard Crawshaw, of Greater Manchester police, said: "It would be unwise for anyone to make the assumption that flagrant defiance of the law has or ever will be tolerated by the police." http://www.ananova.com/yournews/story/sm_454112.html 5] HOW IT CAME ABOUT AT - www.WHSpliff.net/DE3mths.html 6] OPENING REPORTS AT - www.WHSpliff.net/Coffee.html 7] VIEW PHOTOS AT - www.whspliff.net/DutchE.html
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