Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2004
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Gillian Harris, Scotland Correspondent
Cited: Purple Haze http://www.purplehazecafe.com
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Cannabis+Cafe

BRING YOUR OWN TO FIRST CANNABIS CAFE

STEVEN ENGLAND, who claimed to have a secret stash of dope in his
pocket, was at the head of the queue when Scotland's first cannabis
cafe opened yesterday.

Mr England, 24, was one of about 50 customers who filed into Purple
Haze, a former greasy spoon in Edinburgh, which has been transformed
with a coat of lilac paint into a private club for cannabis users.

Outside two uniformed police officers stood at the door handing every
customer a letter stating that downgrading cannabis to a Class C drug
did not make it legal.

They were told that if they were seen using cannabis inside the cafe
they would be arrested and charged. 'I am concerned that the
reclassification has been misunderstood by some members of the
public,' said Inspector Neil Phillip of Lothian and Borders police.

Mr England, who is unemployed, said it was a risk he was prepared to
take. 'I feel I should be allowed to take cannabis. I think this cafe
is an excellent move forward and I hope to see many more open across
the country.

But staff at Purple Haze, a basement internet cafe will not sell
cannabis alongside the bacon rolls and cheeseburgers.

Customers, who pay 5 pounds to become members, will be invited to
bring and consume their own using the cafe supplied vaporiser, which
costs 350 pounds. Smoking is banned, so there will be no joints.

'I would prefer to smoke a joint but vaporisers give you a faster
hit,' said Mr England.

Another customer, dismayed to learn that the cafe was not selling
cannabis, grumbled: 'I didn't realise it was BYOB - Bring Your Own
Blow.

Yesterday was registration day at the cafe with cannabis use expected
to begin today.

Paul Stewart, 37, the cafe owner, said he was prepared to defy the law
in order to draw attention to the plight of cannabis users who he
believes are treated harshly.

'I am not selling it but I will allow people to bring their own,' he
said. 'If the police arrest me or other customers that will not do
anything to stop people using cannabis.'

To prevent passers-by enjoying the spectacle of a handful of ageing
hippies and unemployed youths getting stoned, grids have been placed
across the cafe windows.

'It is part of our non-confrontational approach. We are not putting on
a show and we are not going to get involved in big fights with the
police over it,' said Mr Stewart.

During the day Purple Haze will continue as a conventional internet
cafe serving tea, coffee and food including baked potatoes, burgers
and French pastries. But at 4pm the cafe will be turned over to
members who want to use cannabis. Mr Stewart stressed no other drugs
will be tolerated. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake