Previous
Cannabis Cafes 1st Birthday opens the debate...should they stay or should they go?
Added: (Tue Jun 24 2003)
Following Dispatches "Blunkets Reefer Madness" on Channel 4 on Sunday night, the owner of the British Cafe featured is opening the doors to the press and Mps from around the UK to coincide with its first birthday.
The continental style cafe, based on an Amsterdam style coffeeshop will celebrate this landmark achievement on Thursday 26th June 2003.
Buddies Cafe has to date remained open as local authority spent eleven months allowing the cafe to run, and have only recently asked the owner to submit for planning permission.
Chris Baldwin, a fifty something pisces man, will happily tell you this was not his intention, he planned to open up and get closed down instantly by police, to prove a political point, but this didnt happen, instead he and a few cannabis campaigners are under a constant pressure from customers both medical and recreational to stay open, because the police wouldn't close it down.
Hundreds (more probably thousands) of visitors have walked through the doors over the last year, from all walks of life, and as far away as Scotland and Holland.
Now as the cafe reaches its first Birthday, Chris and staff would like to invite any nespapers who would like to witness living history, and then through the press ask the public...Should it Stay, Or Should it Go?
Not only has this cafe helped over 200 medical patients, Chris and a majority of his staff suffer from disabilities.
They have created a freindly community cafe where people can meet up with others and can do something they enjoy without being excluded from society,
This cafe has brought more turnover to the local area, with restaurants, take aways, newsagents, garages and bed and breakfasts feeling the benifit of extra visitors to this beautiful seaside resort, it has also raised a huge politcal debate, and with all customers regually donating to the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (a registered political party, that Chris has sat as candidiate in Worthing in previous years), it shows people want to see change.
If you would like to take part in the celebrations, or come and get a groundbreaking story, please make your way to:
Buddies Cafe
10 Coronation Buildings
Brougham Road
Worthing
E Sussex