The Dutch Experience cannabis coffee shop raid
Saturday
25th November 2001
Based on a report by CCNews
Following Tuesday's raid on Stockports' Dutch Experience cannabis cafe, customers, patients and supporters held a meeting at the café Saturday lunchtime.
They then held a peaceful march to the police station, to protest about what they see as a totally unacceptable and treacherous intervention. The cafe had been tolerated for two months by the police, who were well aware of its operation.
The police behaviour toward Colin Davies between September 15 and the raid had been courteous and friendly. Statements by David Blunkett have given cannabis users hopes that a more tolerant attitude was developing. Their sudden appearance at the cafe, in full battle mode, was unnecessary and shocking.
Outside the police station, several protesters lit what appeared to be large joints and offered themselves for arrest. A banner read 'Colin Davies is a Healer, not a Dealer.' Chris Baldwin, a wheelchair user, was first, Patman, also in a wheelchair, second. About a dozen others were arrested, on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.
Police refused to arrest Nol van Schaik, but after he passed his ostentatious spliff to another person (a lady who works as a cleaner), she was arrested.
Colin Davies had been arrested when police raided the cafe on Tuesday
Police strongly opposed the granting of bail, so Davies will remain in custody, without his preferred medication, until appearing in court November 29.
A Stockport police statement before the raid said:
"We recognise there is ongoing debate and research into the medical benefits or otherwise of cannabis. The police, in appropriate cases, exercise discretion and judgment.'
Colin has a damaged spine and uses cannabis for pain relief, yet the police bundled him into the police van (picture) when they arrested him. He is now being held in Strangeways prison where he is denied his medicine.
Colin is well known as being totally nonviolent, as is the Dutch Experience Coffee shop, it seems the police have decided that using intimidation is the only way they can prevent the legalisation of cannabis.
Colin has been transfered onto the hospital wing in strangeways, he has suffered 2 seizures.. He is not being allowed to use cannabis to ease his pain but is to be given morphine instead.