Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2004
Source: Manchester Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Manchester Evening News
Contact:  http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1313
Author: Ian Craig
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

POT PLANT PLEA FOR THE HOME DRUG USER

EURO MP Chris Davies wants people to be allowed to grow a single
cannabis plant in their home without fear of prosecution.

The north west Liberal Democrat MEP has written to Home Secretary
David Blunkett urging him to follow Belgium's lead in abandoning
prosecutions in such cases.

"If I wish, I could grow a cannabis plant in my Brussels flat without
fear of prosecution, but to do the same in Britain would put me at
risk of serious penalties," says the former MP.

He said that, once, no home would have been complete without an
aspidistra in the living room.

Slippery slope

Now he wants to allow people to grow a single cannabis plant so they
can avoid contact with dealers handling more harmful substances.

"Despite the de-classification of the drug there is a real risk that
cannabis users will have to buy the product from heroin dealers.

"For some this could be a slippery slope," he added.

Meanwhile, three people have been arrested for drugs offences at
Scotland's first cannabis cafe.

The two men, aged 43 and 37, and the 35-year-old woman have been
charged with possession after being arrested at the Purple Haze Cafe.

Their arrest coincided with the reclassification of the drug, from
Class B to Class C, which came into force today.

It is understood that Paul Stewart, the owner of the cafe in Leith,
Edinburgh, was one of those arrested.

A report will go to the procurator fiscal.
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MAP posted-by: Derek