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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: One for the pot: cannabis cafe bid launched
Taunton Times Thursday 01 Nov 2001 Entrepreneur Mike Cottee has outlined plans for a coffee shop, similar to those made famous in Amsterdam, where marijuana smokers could now be possible following Home Secretary David Blunkett's announcement about relaxing marijuana regulations. Mr Cottee, who has occasionally smoked the weed for about 20 years, said: 'I have only very recently got involved in this issue, and I have been very impressed with what has happened in Stockport with the opening of the UK's first cannabis coffee shop, the Dutch Experience. 'I have floated the idea with a few friends and to my amazement they were interested in backing the opening of such a shop here in Taunton. 'Earlier this week I spoke with Nol van Schaik, the Dutch backer of the Dutch Experience, and he expressed interest in supporting such a venture in the West. 'Although I still had some concerns about being the main 'front man' for the operation, those were dismissed after Mr Blunkett's announcement last week. 'It is time to make it public in the hope that people come forward who want to support it and get involved.' Under reclassification as a Class C drug, it would still be an offence to possess or supply cannabis, and although Mr Cottee has no plans for it to be available over the counter, Mr Cottee hopes the authorities would take a relaxed approached to the cafe. 'The intention is to provide a safe, comfortable environment for people who enjoy smoking cannabis to come and socialise without fear of being arrested,' said Mr Cottee. Reactions from Taunton Deane Council have been mixed, Cllr. Libby Lisgo (Labour), executive member for community planning, said she was pleased with Mr Blunkett's decision but emphasised the need for greater public understanding of the reclassification. She said: 'What a lot of people do not realise is that is still going to be illegal to possess it. Although I do think the move was a very important announcement, it is not going to be something Taunton Deane will promote in anyway.' Council leader Jefferson Horsley (LibDem) welcomed the idea. 'I have no difficulty with this - if it releases the police to chase real criminal than I am in favour of it,' he said. But Taunton MP Adrian Flook (Tory) hit back at Cllr. Horsley's comments. He said: 'Taunton is not the place for opportunists to experiment with their drug habits. The fact that Jefferson Horsley thinks it's OK is ridiculous. He is saying it's OK to break the law.' The Dutch Experience opened in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in September. It was immediately shut down by police and several people were arrested for possession with intent to supply the drug. But the shop has been reopened and Mr Cottee claims cannabis is still sold over the counter. Police have said although regulations may be relaxed, officers would still have the power to arrest smokers. A spokesman said, 'We would not be stripped of our powers altogether. We could still arrest anyone for smoking cannabis - it would just mean the process would be longer to implement. 'These are very early days but I am sure people would still be liable to prosecution.' Mr Cottee and the cafe's other financial backers are hoping the authorities in Somerset turn a blind eye to a marijuana cafe. 'We see no reason why the police should waste resources raiding the premises when they won't be able to arrest anyone,' he said. They are now looking for a suitable venue. 'We want somewhere fairly central but not on one of the main shopping streets,' said Mr Cottee. 'Once we find premises we can move quite quickly and be open in two or three weeks.' Mr Cottee is hoping pro-cannabis activists will support his venture. For more information, visit his website at www.WHSpliff.net
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