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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: MEP backs jailed pot crusader
Neil Brooks Ellesmere Port Pioneer
Thursday 24 Oct 2002 THE jailing of Stockport cannabis coffee shop owner Colin Davies has been criticised by an Ellesmere Port Euro MP. But the development has been applauded by Port-based Parents Against Drug Abuse (PADA). Davies, 44, had denied possessing, supplying and importing a Class B drug and permitting premises to be used for the use of the drug. But at Manchester Crown Court he was jailed for three years for 'persistently flouting the law'. Chris Davies MEP, who is facing charges at Manchester Crown Court on October 28 for possession of cannabis as part of a political protest, said: 'Colin Davies is a martyr who has led the challenge to the ridiculous laws on cannabis. 'I have no doubt that in the course of time his actions will be entirely vindicated. 'Ten years ago the owners of most of Britain's major stores broke the Sunday Trading Act in a deliberate attempt to change the law. 'They succeeded and have since been rewarded with knighthoods and huge bonuses. 'Colin Davies has done just the same by opening Britain's first cannabis coffee shop, but he has had to pay a much higher price.' The MEP added: 'The Government's own experts now say that cannabis is less harmful than either alcohol or tobacco. If Colin Davies is a criminal then logic dictates that so should be the managers of every shop and supermarket which sells these drugs. 'Now the Home Secretary has signalled his intention to downgrade the law on cannabis, this conviction makes the legal system look farcical. It is like a throwback to another time.' But Lynn Clare at PADA said: 'I believe that Colin Davies was warned on several occasions that he was breaking the law. Smoking and dealing the drug is still an of-fence. 'Therefore, if the police tell you repeatedly that you are committing a crime then you must face the consequences. I have no sympathy with him at all.' She added: 'No-one can convince us that cannabis is harmless. It does cause problems. So for Colin Davies to encourage and tout the use of it is immoral. 'Parents have a hard enough job to do without him opening a shop and selling it.'
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