Pubdate: Sun, 01 Feb 2004
Source: Scotland On Sunday (UK)
Copyright: 2004 The Scotsman Publications Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/405
Author: Nicholas Christian

CANNABIS CAFE FACES CLOSURE

THE first cannabis cafe in Scotland is in danger of closing after its 
landlord threatened to evict the operator.

The Purple Haze cafe, in Leith, has already been raided by police after 
opening on Thursday. Three people were arrested for alleged drug offences.

Now William Frame, the businessman who owns the building, has issued cafe 
operator Paul Stewart with an ultimatum.

A spokesman for Frame, managing director of Edinburgh property firm 
Braemore Property Management, said: "Cannabis is illegal and Mr Frame does 
not condone the use of the drug or the actions that have been taken by his 
tenant. Mr Frame has advised Paul Stewart that he is in breach of his lease 
and, if he continues to do so, Mr Frame will take legal action.

"Mr Frame is co-operating fully with Lothian and Borders Police and a copy 
of the letter issued to Paul Stewart by his solicitors has been forwarded 
to them."

Cannabis was reclassified from a Class B to a Class C drug last week, which 
in practice means that users of small quantities are unlikely to be 
prosecuted, and Purple Haze opened immediately afterwards to take advantage 
of the relaxation of the rules.

It is designed as a private members' club for anyone who wants to use 
cannabis. However, the drug is not legal and police say that it is 
"business as usual" for them.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom