---<br /> <br /> THE owner of Merseyside's first cannabis cafe is vowing to stay open <br /> despite being raided twice by police.<br /> <br /> Former property developer Gary Youds spent ukp60,000 to launch the <br /> Amsterdam-style Tea Cafe in Holt Road, Kensington, Liverpool six weeks ago <br /> but didn't get city council permission.<br /> <br /> He was raided soon afterwards and was given a conditional discharge after <br /> he admitted allowing the premises to be used for the taking of a controlled <br /> drug.<br /> <br /> Several customers were cautioned for possession of cannabis during the raids.<br /> <br /> At the weekend he was arrested again and bailed pending further inquiries. <br /> But, apart from the police action, he has been served with a 28-day closure <br /> notice by the council.<br /> <br /> However, he insists he will carry on trading at the cafe which has gained <br /> 400 members, all of whom must prove they are aged over 18 and must leave <br /> the premises by 10pm.<br /> <br /> "We are doing nothing wrong, all we want is tolerance," he said.. I am <br /> happy to work with the police and council, allowing them inside for <br /> inspections at any time."<br /> <br /> He said the cafe was only used for taking the drug and that he operated a <br /> "zero tolerance" policy on Class A drugs and alcohol.<br /> <br /> "I have invested six years of planning and a lot of money into this venture <br /> and I am proud of what we have achieved," he said..<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 /> Merseyside police say Mr Youds is supplying cannabis and they are working <br /> with the city council to have the cafe closed down.<br /> <br /> They cannot obtain an Asbo against him 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 /> Nearby resident Kevin Miller, 45, who lives on Kensington, said: "I don't <br /> care what goes on behind<br /> 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 /> <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 |