PROPOSED DUNDEE CANNABIS CAFE AT AN "ADVANCED STAGE"

THE PROPOSED Dundee cannabis cafe is at an "advanced stage" and could open
early in the new year, it was claimed yesterday.

High-profile cannabis campaigner Colin Davies - who co-owns the Dutch
Experience cannabis cafe in Stockport, Greater Manchester - said yesterday
that a site had been identified in Dundee for a new cafe, but would not
specify where.

Mr Davies, who uses cannabis to combat chronic spinal pain, is a founder of
the Medical Marijuana Co-operative, whose Scotland branch have posted
details on the internet of plans to establish a cannabis cafe in Dundee.

He said, "I believe the plan is to open a Dutch Experience style cafe in
Dundee shortly after the new year. Plans are at an advanced stage."

The name of the cafe alluded to what went on in the premises and he said
the idea was to "separate the soft drugs from the hard drugs."

Mr Davies confirmed that he knew the identity of the man who was taking
forward the plans for the cafe. It is understood he does not wish to be
publicly named at this stage.

Attempts to contact the man for comment last night were unsuccessful.

Dundee West MSP Kate Maclean - who has admitted to being a former cannabis
user - said she would be "happy" to see cafes established if current laws
were relaxed, while her Dundee East colleague John McAllion said that in
such circumstances the controversial cafes would be "fine with me".

Dundee-based SNP MSP Shona Robison - who also admitted experimenting with
cannabis as a student - disagreed with the pair's stance and said that any
cafe venture would be nothing but a "distraction" from the real drug issues
facing the city.

However, Ms Maclean and Mr McAllion - who support the setting up of a Royal
Commission to look at the medicinal and recreational use of the drug - said
that should decriminalisation occur in the future, they would not have a
problem with cafes being opened in Dundee.

Ms Maclean said, "If the law is relaxed then I would be happy enough to see
these types of regulated establishments set up in Scotland.

"Obviously it depends on demand for such a facility, but would be on the
basis of it becoming legal.

"It is not going to come to fruition as obviously it is still illegal and
from what Tayside Police are saying it would probably be nipped in the bud
quickly.

"I think it is good that it will stimulate debate again around cannabis use
and I think the idea of cannabis cafes and the results they seem to have in
Holland are quite good in terms of reduction of people who move on to
harder drugs," said Ms Maclean.

John McAllion said the issue was not one that was going to go away and said
a Royal Commission should be set up to look into the matter.

He said he was convinced that cannabis had a role to play in medicine, much
in the same manner as heroin (diamorphine) had been used by the medical
profession for years.

He said, "It (the cafe) can't open because it is against the law and it is
a non-starter in that respect. If somebody starts selling illegal
substances, I think the police are obliged to do something about it. I do
think there is a need for a Royal Commission into the use of drugs and in
particular cannabis."

Shona Robison said, "I certainly would not be happy to see a cannabis cafe
established in Dundee.

"Last week Dundee was given the unfortunate reputation of having the second
worst drug problem in Scotland. I would be worried that such a cafe would
be a magnet for drug dealers trying to encourage people into harder drugs,"
she said.