York cannabis cafe: we will have to wait and see

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Richard Edwards

Yorkshire Evening Press

Sunday 14 Apr 2002

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A CANNABIS cafe is not due to become part of York's cafe culture,
despite reports that a dozen such outlets could open across the country,
pro-cannabis campaigners say.

Two cannabis cafes have already opened in the UK, one in Stockport and
another in Bournemouth

Reports claim cafes are planned for at least 13 other UK cities, following
news cannabis could be downgraded to a class 'C' drug, from class 'B.' This
would drastically reduce penalties for possession.

But Don Barnard, spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said he
was not aware of any plans to open a cafe here. "It is down to
individual people in individual areas. The cafes are not part of a
chain. "I am not aware of any plans for York at the moment, but who
knows what the future may hold," he said.

Detective Inspector Ian Wills, head of North Yorkshire Police drugs
squad, said any cannabis cafe would be dealt with if and when one
opened. He said: "There is a lot of debate about cannabis at the moment.
We are going to have to wait and see."

Steve Galloway, leader of City of York Council's Liberal Democrat group,
said he supports his party's policy of decriminalising cannabis for
personal use. But he added: "Until that decriminalisation is in place we
would never advise anyone to break the existing laws.

"Anyway, as far as I am aware there are no plans to open that kind of
establishment in York." Council leader Rod Hills said the Labour group
would oppose any cannabis cafe unless there was a law change.

But Frank Ormston, of York Socialist Alliance, said the group would
support a cannabis cafe. "We wouldn't call for one to open here but if
people were trying to close it we would campaign for it to stay open,"
he said.

Conservative group leader John Galvin said: "Cannabis cafes might have a
place in Amsterdam but I am not sure they have a place in York."

And Adam Sinclair, chairman of York Chamber of Trade said: "Provided all
commercial activities in York stay within the law we welcome well presented
and sophisticated businesses of any kind."

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