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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cafe joy at green light
Gail Atkinson The Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Thursday 21 Nov 2002 A COFFEE shop that has been used by cannabis smokers has been given the go ahead to continue operating. Planners at Hyndburn passed the retrospective application by Margaret McGuinness for the tattoo studio and cafe that she runs with her husband Frank. Although Mr McGuinness allows people to smoke cannabis on the cafe premises, he does not sell the class B drug. Only one councillor -- Susan Shorrock -- abstained from the vote, and nobody voted against it. Councillor Shorrock said: "I have grave concerns not for the coffee shop but for the rest of it. I'm quite strongly against it. I'm concerned about what else happens there." Coun Brian Walmsley asked if an age restriction could be imposed as a condition of approval. He said: "I'm just a little concerned really. I know there's nothing we can do about planning, but could there be something put on this about the age of young people going in. I would be a little worried if teenagers were going into that shop." Gordon McMillan, the council's solicitor, said: "There's no planning justification for that." The application drew three letters of objection raising concerns about the cafe being an unsuitable business in a conservation area and suggesting there should be a reduction in business rates and council tax if the application was passed. But a report to members of the council's development services committee, said: "It is not a matter for the local planning authority to determine this application on grounds that it may be used for illegal purposes. If the proposed cafe is used for any illegal purposes this would be a matter for the police." Last month the cafe was raided by officers, and the police have pledged to monitor the business.
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