Medical Cannabis Supplier Raided by Police in London
Tony Taylor, proprietor of 'Tony's Hemp Corner' has been arrested by Islington police after they visited his shop in Kings Cross, London on the Summer Solstice (21st June).

In a low key operation Islington police visited the Kings Cross premises and remained there for several hours before taking Mr Taylor to Tulpuddle St police station. He was released on bail later that evening.

On the previous Saturday Mr Taylor 'came out' in an interview with the Guardian newspaper as a supplier of medical cannabis.

Mr Taylor supplies medical cannabis to nearly 300 people including terminal cancer and AIDS patients. They provide a letter from a medical practitioner confirming a genuine medical complaint that can be treated with cannabis. This establishes'medical necessity' which has successfully been used as a legal defence in several medical cannabis cases.

After his release Mr Taylor said; 'I'm a healer not a dealer. If we don't do this, who will do this?' He also said that he would like to emphasise that the police have treated him with the greatest of respect throughout.

The wholefood cafe and hemp shop remain open.

Statements of support:

• Colin Davis, Medical Marijuana Cooperative:"The only people to suffer because of this will be the ill and dying. Those who received Tony Talyor's personal attention and healing advice will now be without the vital help that he was providing. Helping ill people and showing compassion for people who suffer should be encouraged. We all want a more caring society and Tony was contributing in a positive way. I don't think his arrest is what the general public want."

• Caroline Coon, Founder Release: "It is essential that people like Tony Taylor are there to give cannabis to people who are in pain and distress for very serious diseases. People should not forget that cannabis was prescribable in this country until 1971. I myself had a prescription for cannabis in 1967. The facility that Tony provides must be brought within the law."

• Chris Sanders: Cannabis Coalition (uk): "No civilised society knowingly denies available treatment to the sick but that is what is happening today in Britain. Why should people suffering ill health, some of whom have just months to live, be denied relief when it exists? Everyone has a vested interest in changing the law on medical use now; if it is not you it could be a friend or relative who is either denied treatment or imprisoned for using it. The issue of medical cannabis is undoubtedly the area which most exposes the cruel irrationality of cannabis prohibition and where there is the widest public support for urgent change."


• Messages and statements of support can be sent to: THC, 10 Caledonian Rd, London, N1 9DU. email:  hempcorner@hotmail.com