CANNABIS CO-OP MAN ARRESTED

A founder of a co-operative formed to supply free cannabis to people with
multiple sclerosis and other conditions has been arrested. He will appear
in court next month charged with drugs offences.

Colin Davies, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, was arrested at his flat on
Tuesday and questioned for eight hours at a police station. Officers
removed 28 cannabis plants from his bedroom, and other property, including
letters, address books and details of co-op members.

Mr Davies, who smokes cannabis to relieve a painful back condition, is
charged with cultivating, possessing, possessing with intent to supply, and
supplying cannabis.

The arrest comes within a week of the Government rejecting the
recommendation of a House of Lords committee that doctors should be able to
prescribe the drugs to patients with an accepted medical need. It is also
exactly a year since Mr Davies was arrested and charged with cultivating
cannabis. He defended himself in the crown court and was acquitted.

With two colleagues, Mr Davies set up the Medical Marijuana Co-operative in
October to provide those seeking pain relief with cannabis of consistent
quality. They have had inquiries from all over the country.

"I have never denied that I have been growing cannabis for my own use to
help with the pain I suffer and to help relieve the pain and suffering of
others in the co-operative," he said yesterday.

"I have already faced the ordeal of criminal prosecution and been
vindicated. The jury at my trial was convinced that I was growing
marijuana as a medical necessity. I have no reason to believe that a new
jury will not come to the same conclusion."

Mr Davies's arrest at the end of a spell of debilitating illness was
greeted with outage by co-operative members. One its founders demanded to
be immediately arrested.

"Colin has supplied me with cannabis," said Andrew Coldwell, from
Huddersfield, who has MS and is confined to a wheelchair. "I asked him to
supply me and he has met my medical needs. I challenge the police to come
and charge me.

"They are persecuting a man who has already been through the courts."

He vowed the co-operative would continue to supply people who did not want
to become involved with street dealers. "This is a hiatus which we will
overcome. The Home Office waited for the Lords report and the political
response to it - and then went for Colin."

Checked-by: Richard Lake