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UK: Campaigners support pro-cannabis MEP

The Sentinel

Thursday 31 Oct 2002

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Campaigners fighting for a change in British drug laws have pledged their
support for convicted Cheshire MEP Chris Davies.

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) has congratulated Mr Davies on his
"principled viewpoint" following his conviction for possessing cannabis
during a demonstration in Stockport last December.

The Liberal Democrat MEP, who earns £55,000, has shown support for
Dutch-style cannabis coffee shops after he was fined £100 and ordered to pay
£3,500 costs. His total legal bill is expected to amount to some £5,000.

He had held up a small quantity of cannabis resin stuck to the back of a
postage stamp outside a police station.

Subsequently, he was criticised for setting a bad example to young people.

LCA spokesman Don Barnard said: "The LCA applauds Chris Davies' stance to
offer himself up for a criminal record and criticism from his peers."

Duncan Cameron, of the Parents Against Lethal Addictive Drugs Group has
added his voice to calls for a change in the law.

He said: "I support Mr Davies in his dedication to the introduction of fair
drug laws which encourage the use of the safest drugs and discourage the
most dangerous.

"The law currently prohibits the use of the safest recreational drug known,
cannabis, while allowing the most dangerous drug known, tobacco, to remain
legal."

Mr Davies, who used to be a member of the House of Commons Drugs Misuse
Group, took part in the demonstration in support of the first cannabis shop
in Britain, which was opened in Stockport by Colin Davies who is now
serving a three-year jail term.

The MEP said: "My objective has been to stimulate public debate, promote a
change in the law and cut the amount of police time that is wasted at
present on making criminals out of cannabis users who do not harm anyone
else. If my action in any way helps achieve these objectives then the costs
of £5,000 I have incurred will have been money well spent."

 

 

 

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