EURO MP AIMS FOR DRUG ARREST

A North West Euro MP is planning to be arrested in support of the owner of
a Dutch-style 'coffee shop' in Greater Manchester.

Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West, says he will
turn up at a police station in Stockport on 15 December with a small amount
of cannabis resin.

He wants to draw attention to the experience of Colin Davies, who advocates
the use of cannabis, and who runs the 'Dutch Experience' coffee shop in the
town.

Mr Davies, who is no relation to the MEP, is currently being held on remand
in custody at Strangeways Prison on drugs charges.

Mr Davies told BBC News Online: "If they do not arrest me they are in the
position of stating that the law applies differently to politicians than to
members of the public.

"If they do, I shall take the option of going for trial.

"If this happens it will I think provide further evidence of the need for
reform.

"I hope I am adding another brick in the wall on behalf of those who say
that laws should be changed."

For several weeks, pro-cannabis campaigners from across the country have
been meeting at the cafe, which has twice been raided.

Ten arrests were made at a recent protest when people allegedly smoked the
drug.

The protesters have also marched through Stockport.

But Dr Steve Taylor, a GP from Prestwich in Manchester, said: "As a doctor
I see the harm cannabis does to people."

He pointed out that cannabis-users can experience short-term memory
problems, and those who try to stop using the drug can become depressed and
anxious.

Other people had found cannabis a stepping stone to harder drugs, he added.

Health Effects

Mr Davies told BBC News Online: "It is a matter of what is proportionate.

"Last year nearly 800 young people in Britain died of alcohol induced
cirrhosis of the liver.

"Not one person died from the health effects of cannabis, yet some 50,000
people were arrested for possession of the drug.

"It is not surprising that many police officers admit that they have better
things to do with their time than arrest people for a supposed offence
which causes no harm to anyone else."

On Friday North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom compared the
current drug laws with alcohol prohibition in the USA in the 1920s, which
he said was an "unmitigated disaster".

In the Netherlands, coffee shops which sell cannabis have been permitted
for nearly 20 years.

The MEP says he will turn up at the police station in Lee Street in
Stockport at 1000 GMT on Saturday.