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: Patrick Henry