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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Argument for...
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Friday 02 Aug 2002 DAVID Wilson has long advocated the use of cannabis. In the late 1990s he set up the Hybrid News magazine, dedicated to cannabis. He then went on to organise 'pot picnics' in Blackburn's Corporation Park, where supporters of cannabis would protest at what they felt was an archaic law. The 37-year-old father-of-two is to reinvent his Real Jerk cafe and takeaway, in Bolton Road, Ewood, Blackburn, as a "cannabis-friendly" establishment. What he proposes is to allow customers to smoke cannabis openly in his shop. The drug itself will not be for sale, with people bringing their own, and David is to implement a strict 18s and over policy. Although well aware of the criminal implications - police have said they will prosecute him if it goes ahead - David is undeterred. He said: "I'm not scared because I think you shouldn't prosecute people for smoking a herb. "It does no harm to anybody and I think people should be able to go a place which is cannabis-friendly where they don't get hassle from the police." Cannabis, according to David, who smokes only an organic variety, is "God's herb", which should be available to anyone who wants it. He believes that allowing people to smoke it in a relaxed atmosphere will go down well and is good for the town. He said: "The council talks about coffee shops on Church Street selling espressos, but that's not the right way forward. "I have the interest of the community at heart and I know this will go down well. "If parents want to talk about cannabis and want advice, they should come and ask for me and I will help them as much as possible. "I am against hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine and at no time will there be children smoking cannabis in this cafe." The idea of the coffee shop is nothing new. Since cannabis was decriminalised in the Netherlands in 1976, thousands of them have popped up, attracting tourists from all over the world. Last year the UK's first coffee shop opened in Stockport, Greater Manchester. But the owner of the Dutch Experience, Colin Davies was immediately arrested on its opening by Greater Manchester Police. Despite this the coffee shop still operates and another coffee shop is set to open in Rhyl, north Wales. David believes that people should have the choice to smoke cannabis and cites its medical benefits. He even vowed to help those with genuine medical concerns by putting them in touch with people who could supply cannabis to them. David said: "Cannabis is a herb and the people who smoke it do not cause any trouble. "If cannabis can help people, with MS or whatever, then I will help them get it. "It's the same if I saw a man injured in the street, I would help him."
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