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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Councillor attacks shop selling cannabis seeds
Scott MacNab Press & Journal, Aberdeen
Monday 12 Jan 2004 A Call has been made for changes to the law which is allowing a gardening shop to sell cannabis seeds. Cannagro, in Rosemount Place, Aberdeen is taking advantage of a loophole in the law to sell the seeds. Only when they have been planted and the cannabis plant begins to sprout does it become an offence. Shop owner John Morrison, 39, insists that the shop's trading activities are legal. He said any customer buying the seeds was given a verbal warning that it is illegal to "germinate" the plants. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, it is an offence to cultivate any plant of the genus cannabis in the UK without a Government licence. However, selling cannabis seeds and books about cannabis cultivation is legal. But the city council's Conservative group leader, John Porter, said that the position taken by the shop went against the spirit of the law. It is like "giving a burglar a skeleton key". He said: "To be taking advantage of this loophole is highly irresponsible and, in my view, it should be closed. "It may well encourage people who would not otherwise be inclined to do something illegal. "Someone could get into serious trouble. Although they may say, 'Take the seeds away, but don't do anything with them', it's quite an unusual thing for a respectable shopkeeper to do. It's against the spirit of the law." Since opening seven weeks ago, Cannagro has advertised "high quality" hydroponic indoor plant-growing equipment and lighting systems. The window display advertises fruit and vegetables and it trades openly in tomato and strawberry seeds. However, Cannabis-related items - including seeds, guidebooks on growing and lifestyle-related items - are not openly on show. The shop claims to be the first in the UK to offer "premium-quality Dutch nutrients". Customers are also invited to phone for "discreet ordering". In 2002, the Home Secretary confirmed that cannabis laws would be relaxed and reclassified from being a Class B to a Class C drug. Grampian Police said that it did not target those with cannabis for their personal use. However, if individuals were found to be in possession, its policy was to confiscate the drug and report the facts for possible prosecution.
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