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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Police raid cannabis equipment store
BBC Online
Saturday 06 Sep 2003 A shop selling drugs paraphernalia in a north Wales seaside town has been raided by police within hours of its opening on Saturday. North Wales Police had pledged to "closely monitor" the It Beggar's Belief store set up by Rhyl businessman Jeffrey Ditchfield. He said he would not sell cannabis but would offer cannabis seeds, growing equipment and legal intoxicating herbs. Officers begun searching the premises in Water Street within minutes of its opening on Saturday. The store had already attracted criticism. Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said he was angry about Mr Ditchfield's opening the premises He said claims by its owner that the shop would highlight the benefits of cannabis for medicinal purposes were not true. "He said that his whole reason for doing this is to alleviate pain for MS sufferers," he said. "The UK Government have had a long-term pilot on this and, as from October, a marijuana-based derivative will be available in pill form for certain patients. "Mr Ditchfield knows he can create a media circus on this," he added. Mr Ditchfield told BBC News Online that he wants to be able to help sick people by supplying them cannabis. He claims he has had a positive response to what he is doing from his neighbours in Water Street. North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has previously backed calls for further investigations into the possibility of legalising drugs. But Mr Brunstrom has said he has to follow the law and if Mr Ditchfield sold or possessed illegal drugs on his premises he would be closed down. Water Street is a residential area situated within the West End of Rhyl which is one of only five designated areas of policing in the UK. The area has been targeted for extra policing because it already has problems with anti-social behaviour. Earlier this year charges against Mr Ditchfield of possessing cannabis and possession with intent to supply were dismissed at Manchester Crown Court. He had admitted giving cannabis chocolate to someone with multiple sclerosis. On Monday the Netherlands became the first country to make cannabis available on prescription for pain relief.
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