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Candidate calls for drug cafes

Martin Buxton

Colchester Evening Gazette

Wednesday 16 Jan 2002

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A 60-year-old candidate for the up-coming Braintree Council
by-election has called for Dutch-style cannabis cafes to be
created in Braintree. Don Barnard, who is standing for the
Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said a more tolerant view of
cannabis possession and minor cannabis offences would give
police more time to deal with more serious crimes.

He feels the building of coffee shops, such as those in
Amsterdam, would provide a safe place for people to use
cannabis. Mr Barnard, of Aetheric Road, Braintree, said:
"We should stop arresting people for possession of drugs,
which would save a lot of police time and money. "We could
then use this money to build places for people to go, where
they can use them off the streets." But a police spokesman
said: "Essex Police will continue to uphold the law as passed
by Parliament." The other candidates in the Braintree West
election, which takes place on Thursday, January 31, did not
agree with the idea of coffee shops. Matthew Buchan,
Independent, said: "I think it's a disgusting idea. I can't
speak for the people but I don't know anyone I've spoken to
in the area who would agree with it apart from one or two
of the young people." Roger Walters, Conservative, said:
"Having been in countries where they have such cafes I can't
see it adding to the sort of culture we need to be encouraging
in Braintree." A spokesman on behalf of Labour candidate
Graham Darwood said: "The council's job is to keep young people
out of trouble with the police, not to get them in trouble.
"Legalisation of cannabis is an issue for the Government not
local councils."

Terry Brooks, Liberal Democrat, said: "It's a national issue
not a local issue. The district council can't alter anything
of that sort." Duncan Stewart, of the Green Party, said:
"Personally I am not happy about this sort of cafe being opened
in Braintree. I am concerned it could be encouraging more people
to take up the use of drugs." The by-election was called after
Labour councillor Christopher Bacon resigned his Braintree West
seat when his job in Singapore became permanent.

 

 

 

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