SITE FOR CANNABIS CAFE REVEALED

Plans to open Essex's first cannabis cafe have been narrowed down to near
Witham's Humber Road estate. Reporter Michael Powell asked residents what
they thought of the idea.

CONTROVERSIAL, it may be.

But not everyone is against the idea of a Dutch-style pot smoking den being
opened in Witham.

Last week, we told how a mystery investor was keen to open a cannabis cafe
in the town.

And now Chris Philbin, a member of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, who
wants to manage the cafe, has confirmed the proposed site is an empty unit
at the Spa Road shops, near the Humber Road estate.

The coffee shop could be one of more than a dozen around the country if the
Government implements plans to downgrade cannabis from a Class B to Class C
drug.

Mr Philbin believes the cafe could be a community resource and would keep
youngsters off the streets.

He said: "There's an empty property in the local parade of shops and one
reason I'd be interested in taking it over is so that you could have a
community cafe on the estate.

"It would keep the youngsters off the streets and away from alcohol."

What do you think?

Traders Give Mixed Reaction

Witham residents and traders have given a mixed reaction to the plan.

Daren McGory, 25, said: "I think it would be a good idea for this sort of
area -it's better than drink, especially for the youngsters."

David Shaw, 22, said: "While it's not legal, it's something that shouldn't
happen but I can see why people want to have it legalised - I wouldn't use
a cannabis cafe personally. but it's not going to cause much more trouble
than a pub would."

However, Michael Watson, 56, said: "I have arthritis and they say it helps
but it's dope and I wouldn't want anything to do with it. "I don't agree
with it full stop. Alcohol is a drug and so is dope."

Joanne Hamilton-Barr 20, said: 'You get a bunch of kids who hang around
here anyway causing problems for people, it's a terrible idea."

Jan Greenway, 50, who runs an antiques business at Spa Road shops, said:
"If it goes there I'll give my lease up and so will everybody. "Apart from
anything they will be getting into cars and causing accidents. "Whatever
goes there has to have the OK from all the other shops and there's no way
it will."

And Glenda Nammukonda, 38, a pharmacist, said: 'There would be people
sitting next door smoking when we're trying to stop people from smoking
"Hash isn't a problem as such but my concern is that it's smoking and it's
bad for your lungs." The people next door would be doing it for leisure not
to relive Pain, it's totally different."

Essex Police have previously reiterated that cannabis is an illegal
substance and that those found possessing or using it will be dealt with
accordingly.