"Who is going to take care of the patients?" Colin Davies, on being sentenced at Minshull Street court. Cannabis campaigner Colin Davies has been found guilty of illegally supplyingcannabis, and sentenced to an outrageous and severe three years in prison.

On the day that sentence was passed, and in a move clearly calculated to intimidate, over 50 GM Police raided Stockport's Cannabis Cafe, the Dutch Experience, which was opened by Colin and others last year. No warrant was shown, and Cafe punters were slammed up against walls, searched and names taken. Four arrests were made. Apparently the police claimed they were taking the action to protect Colin's property - a blatant lie. The cafe is now closed and cafe volunteers are considering their next move.

In a later related case, Stockport MEP Chris Davies and Italain MEP MarcoPannella were given seven days custody and £1000 fine each (plus costs) for pleading guilty to possession of cannabis in a protest against drug laws. With unintended irony the judge said Chris Davies was highly irresponsible and had taken up valuable court and police time. To add insult to injury the Stockport Express has labelled Colin a 'dope dealer'. But he's not a dealer, he's a healer. Colin has always made clear the point of his actions has been to support people who benefit from the medical use of marijuana. He suffers severe back pains himself, and his belief in the pain relieving effects of marijuana are based on personal experience.

So far as we know Colin is still being held at Strangeways prison. You canwrite to him at: Colin Davies, GP8726, HMP Strangeways, 1 Southall St., M60 9AH

See www.dutchexperience.org and click on forum for latest news on Colin and the Dutch Experience

Also in this month's issue - Halloween anti-war day of action, Colin Davies get three years! Menwith Hill and RTZ plant blockaded, Manchester IMC on the cards, radical radio and more.