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UK: Euro MPs for trial on cannabis charges

Ananova

Tuesday 29 Jan 2002

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Two Euro MPs have appeared in court accused of drug offences
after they were arrested in separate protests against
Britain's cannabis laws.

Chris Davies and Marco Cappato appeared at Stockport
Magistrates Court.

There were cheers from around 50 supporters in the public
gallery as Liberal Democrat Davies and his Italian Radical
Party counterpart were committed for trial at Manchester's
Minshull Street Crown Court. They were freed on
unconditional bail.

Davies, of Greenfield, Oldham, and Cappato of Vendano,
Milan, both deny single charges of possessing cannabis.
Reporting restrictions were lifted on both cases.

Outside court, Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the
North West of England, says he hopes his trial which will
begin on March 15 will help bring about a public debate on
cannabis laws. He says his desire is to see the link between
soft and hard drugs broken and that could only be achieved
by legalising cannabis.

"I think our drug laws have been ridiculous. Our laws and
especially the law on cannabis are outrageous."

At the time of their arrests, Greater Manchester police
criticised both Euro politicians for wasting officers' time.
Yesterday, however, police refused to arrest Radical leader
Marco Pannello after he presented himself at Stockport
police station clutching a small amount of the Class B drug.

Davies added: "Greater Manchester police yesterday revealed
a change in policy when they refused to arrest another MEP
making a similar protest. They said it was a waste of time
and I agree. This is a crime with no victims."

Both politicians are campaigning against the prohibition of
cannabis and against the treatment of Stockport man Colin
Davies currently on remand in prison on charges relating to
his Amsterdam-style coffee shop The Dutch Experience.

Colin Davies, who opened the cafe last year, supports the
use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and is due to appear
for a plea and directions hearing at Minshull Street Crown
Court next month on drug related offences.

 

 

 

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