---<br /> <br /> <br /> MERSEYSIDE'S first cannabis cafe is open for business.<br /> <br /> The Amsterdam-style Tea Cafe in Liverpool is tucked away behind a bona fide <br /> cafe and, despite being raided by police last month, is still trading.<br /> <br /> Owner Gary Youds was arrested but has now reopened the business in Holt <br /> Road, Kensington, and is pledging to fight any moves to close him down.<br /> <br /> Mr Youds asked the council for permission to set up the cafe but was <br /> refused. He appealed and was refused again but opened up anyway.<br /> <br /> The 35-year-old appeared in court and, after pleading guilty to allowing <br /> his premises to be used for the taking of a controlled drug, was given a <br /> conditional discharge.<br /> <br /> Several customers were cautioned for possession of cannabis after the <br /> police raid.<br /> <br /> Mr Youds has spent ukp60,000 on his business venture through his company, <br /> The Chillin's Rooms Ltd.<br /> <br /> Police insist he is supplying cannabis but Mr Youds said his premises were <br /> only used for taking the drug and he operated a "zero tolerance" policy on <br /> Class A drugs and alcohol.<br /> <br /> But he has now been served with a 28-day closure notice by Liverpool council.<br /> <br /> The father-of-one from West Derby, said: "I am happy to work with the <br /> police and council, allowing them inside for inspections at any time.<br /> <br /> "We are doing nothing wrong, all we want is tolerance."<br /> <br /> Police are working with the city council to have the cafe closed down, but <br /> they cannot obtain an Asbo against Mr Youds because there have been no <br /> complaints from residents.<br /> <br /> Inspector Kevin Wellens said: "We are committed to enforcing the law and <br /> are liaising with the local authority.<br /> <br /> "It's not that residents have reported problems associated with the running <br /> of the premises, more that they are concerned that something like this is <br /> there."<br /> <br /> Since it opened six weeks ago, the cafe has gained 400 members, all of whom <br /> must prove they are aged over 18 and must leave the premises by 10pm.<br /> <br /> Mr Youds, a former property developer, says the Tea Cafe is his life's dream.<br /> <br /> He added: "I have invested six years of planning and a lot of money into <br /> this venture and I am proud of what we have achieved.<br /> <br /> "It's clean, safe and unthreatening, inside this cafe there is no violence <br /> or abuse of any sort. We are not here to antagonise the authorities we just <br /> want to be left alone.<br /> <br /> "When we were raided the police were shocked - they said it was the most <br /> peaceful raid they have ever carried out."<br /> <br /> Nearby residents had mixed feelings about the cafe.<br /> <br /> Kevin Miller, 45, who lives on Kensington, said: "I don't care what goes on <br /> behind closed doors so long as there's no disturbance for neighbours."<br /> <br /> Jean McGenity, of Botanic Road, said: "Kensington has become terrible <br /> thanks to the drugs. We need less of it, not more."<br /> <br /> A council spokesman said the closure notice was issued because Mr Youds <br /> does not have planning permission for the building.<br /> <br /> He added: "The use of cannabis is a matter for the police."<br /> <br /> It's still illegal<br /> <br /> CANNABIS was downgraded from Class B to a Class C drug in January 2004.<br /> <br /> Many people believe that effectively made it legal; however, the Home <br /> Office policy is clear.<br /> <br /> A Labour spokeswoman said: "Our position is that cannabis is an illegal and <br /> harmful drug.<br /> <br /> "The object of re-classifying it was to reflect changing police priorities <br /> and allow them to focus on Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine."<br /> <br /> <br />Aurora Indica |  B52 |  Big Bud |  California Orange Bud |  Citral |  Four Way |  Haze |  Hindu Kush |  Indoor Mix |  Jock Horror |  K2 |  Maroc x Afghan |  Northern Light x Big Bud |  Northern Light x Haze |  Northern Light x Shiva |  Shiva |  Skunk #1 |  Skunk Red Hair |  Skunk Special |  Papaya |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |  Afghan |  Master Kush |  Northern Light |  Super Skunk |  Top 44 |  Durban Poison |  Early Bud |  Early Girl |  Early Misty |  Early Special |  Hawaii x Maui Waui |  Hawaii x Skunk #1 |  Hollands Hope |  KC 33 x Master Kush |  Mixed Sativa |  New Purple Power |  Swazi |  Swiss Miss |  Northern Bright |  Snow White (fem.) |  Supergirl |  Venus |  Wonder Woman |  Kaya |  PPP (fem.) |  Medusa |  Blue Mystic |  Chrystal |  Ice |  Misty |  PPP |  White Widow |  Nirvana Special |  White Rhino |  Snow White |  AK-48 |  Bubblelicious |  Silver Pearl |  Haze |  Jock Horror |  Northern Light x Haze |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |