Pubdate: Sun, 25 Nov 2001
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175

10 CHARGED AFTER POLICE STATION CANNABIS PROTEST

Police have charged 10 cannabis campaigners who were arrested after 
allegedly lighting up outside a police station.

Ten people are due to appear before Stockport magistrates on Tuesday 
charged with drug-related offences.

They were among 30 people involved in the protest in Greater Manchester. 
The demonstrators had gathered outside Stockport police station in protest 
about a raid on Britain's first Dutch-style coffee shop.

Their protest was in support of veteran cannabis campaigner Colin Davies, 
who was arrested during Tuesday's raid at the Dutch Experience Cafe in 
Stockport.

Mr Davies, 44, who has smoked cannabis since he broke his spine four years 
ago, launched the venture earlier this year, saying he hoped to offer 
cannabis to sick people to relieve their symptoms.

A 38-year-old man from Scotland, also arrested at yesterday's 
demonstration, was released with a caution while a 34-year-old man from 
Scunthorpe was released on police bail.

A total of nine people were charged with possession of cannabis.

They were named as Nicholas Bowden, 48, of Orchid Drive, Bury; John Bell, 
31, of Hopwood Street, Accrington; Philip Lockwood, 44, of Ashton Road, 
Oldham; Karen Hughes and Robin Wright, both 45, of Duncan Road, Longsight; 
Richard Lea, 23, of Barrow Meadow, Cheadle Hulme; Patman Denning, 37, of 
Milton Keynes and Christopher Baldwin, 51, and Trevor Scott, 45, both of 
Worthing, East Sussex.

James Ward, 29, of Amsterdam, was charged with supplying or offering to 
supply controlled drugs.
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