Pubdate: Thu, 09 May 2002
Source: Dorset Echo (UK)
Copyright: 2002 News Communications & Media PLC
Contact:  http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/703
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n799/a01.html
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n804/a04.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

CANNABIS CAFE SET TO CLOSE

CANNABIS rebels have until Monday to leave the industrial unit they have 
set up a cafe in after an eviction order was made by a county court judge 
yesterday. The cafe, at Station Approach, off Ashley Road, Boscombe, has 
been operating as the Ganja Land cafe since April 1, when it opened, 
briefly attaining national notoriety. Bullock and Lees, agent for the owner 
of the industrial unit where James Ward set up the cafe, has always 
maintained he has no right to be there. Mr Ward always claimed he had 
verbal permission from the agent but this was denied and the court decided 
in favour of Bullock and Lees. The possession order became effective 
immediately but the agent has decided to give the cafe proprietors and 
staff until Monday to leave. Mr Ward told the Echo before the cafe opened 
that his venture was part of the Netherlands-based Dutch Experience empire.

The group already runs a similar cafe in Stockport which has opened again 
and again after police raids. The Boscombe cafe has been open most days 
since police acted on April 24 and seven arrests were made for 
drugs-related offences.

The cafe was recently featured on BBC2's Money Programme. Nobody from 
Bullock and Lees was available for comment yesterday. Mr Ward is due to 
appear before Bournemouth Magistrates on June 26, charged with allowing 
premises to be used for administering or using cannabis.