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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Man who plans a cannabis cafe in West
Western Daily Press
Tuesday 30 Oct 2001 Plans for the first Dutch-style cannabis coffee shop in the West havesparked outrage in a traditional country town. Campaigner Mike Cottee wants to open the business in the Somerset town of Taunton but furious residents say they will fight it all the way. Last night townsfolk hit out at the plans, saying they were completely inappropriate. Sue Randall, the owner of Cafe Expresso in the High Street, said she had already faced problems with heroin addicts using a derelict cottage at the rear of her premises. "I won't be happy if this comes about because it will bring the wrong sort of people into the area," she said. "There are enough problems with pubs, clubs and drink. I think this is going to create another problem that police can't control." Taunton Deane council's Tory leader John Meikle said locals would not be happy. "I don't think Taunton will welcome this. You can't blatantly open such a shop and not expect cautions and criminal proceedings to arise from it," he said. But defiant Mr Cottee and two backers are not worried by the reaction and are combing Taunton for premises. "These coffee shops are being planned across the country," he said. "We are planning to open a shop as soon as possible in Taunton. We are just looking to get the right premises in the centre of the town." Similar outlets already exist in some parts of London but it would be a major step in the West. Mr Cottee wants the town to become the second outside the capital to open a cannabis coffee shop. Customers would also be able to tap into websites where people could buy cannabis products such as seeds, so that they can grow their own supplies. But they could run into trouble with the police, who say it is still against the law for someone to allow their premises to be used for the smoking of cannabis. Mr Cottee is in talks about the opening of the shop with Nol Van Schaik, who has an interest in six Dutch cannabis coffee shops. He also has two other backers who are prepared to put £5,000 into the project. Taunton Deane borough council Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Jefferson Horsley said: "I have no difficulty with this. I am quite relaxed about it. If it releases the police to chase real criminals then I am in favour of it." But campaigner Mary Smith, who founded Knowle West Against Drugs in Bristol after her son became a heroin addict at the age of 15, fears the shop would encourage young people to use drugs. She said: "I believe cannabis leads on to other things and harder drugs."
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