SCOTLAND'S FIRST CANNABIS CAFE SET TO OPEN

SHAN ROSS

SCOTLAND'S first cannabis cafe could be open for business next month, one
of the owners of the controversial enterprise told The Herald last night.

Kevin Williamson, founder of the Rebel Inc publishing firm, posted details
of the new Rebel Inc Coffeeshop planned for "the heart of Edinburgh" on his
website yesterday afternoon.

On it, he describes how the members-only establishment will eventually sell
cannabis direct to customers as a means of cutting out the adulterated
supplies in the city's deprived areas.

The cafe's "menu" will offer at least eight different types of cannabis
with discounts being given to those with medical conditions such as
multiple sclerosis or glaucoma.

Mr Williamson, who is drugs spokesman for the Scottish Socialist Party,
said he had the support of a number of MSPs and MPs for his new venture.

He said an announcement on the reclassification of cannabis from a class B
to a Class C drug is expected next month. Reclassification would mean that,
although suppliers would face a prison sentence, those in possession of the
drug would not be arrested. He said: "When the announcement is made we will
open once we have decorated our new premises. Obviously I am aware that
there is the threat of a five-year prison sentence for selling Class C drugs.

"I wouldn't be happy to end up in prison, but the main issue here is
tackling the overlapping problems between heroin and cannabis.

"It is very different to be a young professional buying cannabis from a
decent source than being someone in a housing scheme coming into contact
with criminals who are likely to be mixing it with all sorts of rubbish."

Mr Williamson said he would not be "springing" the cafe on Edinburgh but
intended organising a number of events to inform the public about the
cafe's aims.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders police said last night it had no
communication from Mr Williamson. "But as the law stands our officers would
arrest anyone possessing or dealing cannabis," she said.

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said last night: "The deputy first
minister has said re-classification does not mean decriminalisation.
Cannabis will remain a controlled drug with criminal sanctions."