Sign up to our free newsletter for the top North Wales stories sent straight to your e-mail Sign up now! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has revealed that he visited a cannabis club - and has called for more to be set up.

Arfon Jones , who has campaigned for the drug laws to be relaxed , said he wanted to see how the private members club in Teeside worked.

Although still illegal, Cleveland Police would appear to tolerate the use of small quantities of the drug, and the venue’s founder described local officers as “very supportive”.

Speaking after his visit to Teeside Mr Jones, a former policeman said there should be more clubs where people can use cannabis recreationally.

He said: “I visited Teesside Cannabis Club because I wanted to see how it was run. The members bring their own cannabis. It isn’t grown on the premises and they’re not dealing or supplying.

“They pay an annual membership fee to be a member of what is a social club where they go to use cannabis.

“There are 150 members paying £35 a year and why not?

“There are pubs and clubs where people go and drink alcohol so why shouldn’t consenting adults be able to use cannabis recreationally and without causing anyone any harm?

“And the location is such that there is no NIMBYism.

“They had invited me to visit because they had heard about my involvement with various campaign groups and I had just been to London to support MP Paul Flynn’s 10-Minute Rule to support the use of medicinal cannabis”

The founder of the club wants to expand the model across the UK.

Michael Fisher, 33, who set up Teesside Cannabis Club four years ago, said “the world is a very different place” since then.

Mr Fisher, who has also been known in the press as John Holliday, has campaigned for cannabis to be de-criminalised.

He believed that the club model – which allows up to 180 people to use cannabis in a safe and controlled space – was one which could be replicated across the UK.

He said: “What we’ve had here is a lot of success, in 14 months, where we’ve gone from about 60 to 70 members to around 180 people.

“The conversation around cannabis is changing and it is becoming more acceptable to talk about.

“We don’t feel the need to hide in the shadows about it.

“Something I would like to see is more clubs, across the country. Ron Hogg and I have a very good relationship, and I think it would be logical for one to open there.

“One in North Wales as well.

“Then in 12 months time, we would have a strong evidence base to take to Government and show them how this model works.”

Mr Fisher insisted there have been no criminal problems linked to the club.

He added: “We do not cause any problems or harm.

“Using cannabis is technically illegal but we have a relationship with the local force, we have never had any issues with disorder at the club or our events, we do not allow alcohol - and it seems that most problems with anti-social and violent behaviour are linked to alcohol.

“We have a great relationship with our local police force, although they are not as outspoken as some about cannabis use, they’ve been very supportive.

“We are very open with the police.”