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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cafes to test cannabis laws Simon Freeman This Is Brighton and Hove Wednesday 20 Mar 2002 A decade after police closed the notorious "73 cafe", the return of Dutch-style cannabis coffee shops could be just around the corner. In 1993 TV presenter and Buddhist-nun Ani Chudrun opened Britain's first cannabis cafe. But within '73 minutes' police had moved in, the cakes seized and Ani was arrested. She was released with a caution but the police's tough stance sent out a strong message which put a stop to anyone else trying to test the law. However, a new group of entrepreneurs are moving into action with the planned downgrading of cannabis from Class B to Class C, reducing penalties for offences from 14 years to five years. While not decriminalised, police now appear to be allowing the drug to be openly smoked in some areas of the country. In Stockport, Colin Davies has been arrested for opening The Dutch Experience but the cafe remains open while he waits on remand. And in Bournemouth, pensioners are raising cannabis plants to supply a planned new outlet in a converted warehouse. Brighton is next in line and if proposals gain public support a cafe could be open by the summer. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cheeseman, head of Brighton's CID, said as the law stands police would be forced to take action against such outlets. He said: "We would have no alternative but to take action because even though cannabis has been re-classified this would still be a flagrant breach of the law. "Our concern is that it sets a precedent for a lax attitude towards drug use. The politicians' views may be changing but I'm not convinced members of the public are. "What people do in their own homes is a separate matter but we couldn't allow the law to be broken to that extent and would take positive action." Groups and charities involved with drug abuse are angry attention is being deflected from the real issues surrounding drugs. A spokeswoman for Addaction said: "We would be happier if more Press attention was devoted to how treatment works to help people rather than the legal issues around cannabis. "Re-classification and legalisation issues are really red herrings, they take the focus off the real problems and the real solutions, and they don't stop addiction. "Re-classifications to category C means cannabis is still illegal. "There is also no doubt the legal substance alcohol can be a gateway to Class A drug use. "And it must be said, that for some people cannabis use will also be problematic." But despite concerns it appears cannabis cafes may become a reality. In Cardiff campaigners are opening a shop charging £15 for a cup of coffee with a free side-order of cannabis in a bid to circumvent the dealing side of the law. Jerry Ham, a homelessness worker and human rights campaigner from Hove, is keen to work with public opinion as he explores plans for a coffee shop in Brighton. He said: "We don't want this to be an under-the-counter stunt, we want to open up the debate. "I think Brighton is a place that can embrace change and see the positive benefits of a responsible approach to cannabis. "Certainly things have moved on and attitudes changed since the 73 cafe. "Now I'm trying to build up links in the community to create a centre which has a medical aspect as well as a social side." Jerry, who was inspired to launch the project after many years working with the homeless, said: "I've seen the effects of prohibition. "It victimises the end users who become prey to their dealers. "I would like the authorities to see this as an experiment to see what happens and maybe allay some of the inevitable fears." Chris Baldwin, who polled 920 votes for the Legalise Cannabis Party in Worthing in the general election, said last year he intended to open a cafe in the town. But he and colleague Trevor Scott are finding it difficult to convince landlords their plan will work. He said: "The majority of people we've spoken to say if it was legal we could have a place tomorrow but people are being very wary." The pair have been invited to spend five days in Amsterdam learning the trade under the tutelage of coffee shop entrepreneur partner Nol van Scheik, who has been instrumental in the Stockport cafe where alcohol, hard drugs and anyone under 18 are banned. He said: "There are problems, but we're still determined to go ahead." A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "Reducing cannabis to a Class C drug could lead to increased use with its related risks - largely those of smoking it with tobacco and the risk of mental health problems for heavy users. "On the other hand, a lot of police time is spent on cannabis-related prosecutions and this would free them up to concentrate on Class A drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. "It would also reduce the number of people who acquire criminal convictions for cannabis possession which can seriously affect their life chances."
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