MUM'S ANGER AT CANNABIS SEEDS SHOP

A SHOP selling cannabis seeds and the specialist equipment needed to
cultivate them insisted last night it was doing nothing wrong.

The Grow Systems business has opened in a former post office in
Foxhall Road, Ipswich, and said it could legally sell the items -
despite admitting they were likely to be used for illegal practices
later.

Jamie Cottington, who runs the shop, added: "A good proportion of our
customers grow for medicinal use. It's a proven pain relief.

"I think people find a lot of benefit and this is why we think the law
is wrong to prosecute hobby growers."

Grow Systems is part of a franchise with shops in Norwich, Cambridge
and Peterborough and was originally funded by Prince Charles' charity
the Prince's Trust.

Its shops sell cannabis seeds, tobacco papers, pipes and specialist
growing equipment, including strong lights and nutrients.

But it is not breaking the law as it is not illegal to sell cannabis
seeds or the equipment to grow it - it only becomes illegal when the
buyer germinates the seed when they get home.

Mr Cottington insisted the shop had a number of clients buying
products to grow orchids and other show flowers, as well as cannabis.

But Maureen Griffiths, whose son Shaun killed himself a day before his
17th birthday at the family home in Castle Hedingham 16 years ago,
spoke of her concern at the shop's purpose.

"It's not illegal to sell the equipment that can used for growing
cannabis as well as other plants," she said.

"However, the dangers of using/smoking cannabis need to be emphasised
again and again in case anyone who buys the equipment may be tempted
to grow and use or sell cannabis.

"It's now a proven fact that using/smoking cannabis can have harmful
effects on the brain and cause depression, mental illness or mental
instability."

Mr Cottington, a partner of the Ipswich franchise, said the shop did
not encourage cannabis use and simply provided advice on growing
hydroponics.

"We obviously do not intend to cause any offence. Basically, the shop
is a hydroponics shop promoting growth without soil. The shelves
contain nutrients, which are definitely not tailored just for
marijuana," he added.

"It's for personal entertainment. Some of our clients come in and grow
marijuana, but hydroponics equipment is not exclusively for marijuana.

"We don't serve children. If an individual appears to be young, we ask
for proof of ID if he asks to buy smoking equipment.

"It's a new way of growing and people seem to enjoy it. Our job is not
to encourage cannabis use, but it's to give advice on growing
hydroponics."

Shaun Griffiths was discovered by his father, John, with a rope around
his neck and a plastic bag around his head.

His mother has no doubt that cannabis had disturbed his mind, possibly
even prompting paranoid delusions or schizophrenia.

"My own son Shaun tragically killed himself in 1988 aged 16 when his
behaviour changed and he became depressed after he had secretly smoked
cannabis for several months," she said.

"Parents and children beware, do not let another tragic loss of life
occur needlessly. Remember, cannabis is a harmless drug and life is
precious."