Liverpool cannabis campaigner, Gary Youds, is calling for support following his latest arrest and for the UK government to consider legalisation. The 55-year-old is currently in prison yet again for allowing people to smoke freely in his cannabis cafe, The Chillin Rooms, and is asking supporters to gather outside Liverpool Crown Court for his hearing on Tuesday 28th April.
Gary has been fighting the cannabis crusade for over 20 years and has dedicated his life to it. A former property developer, he has always chosen cannabis over alcohol and the hard drugs he saw ruining lives growing up in Liverpool in the 70s and 80s. After attending a Cannabis Conference in Amsterdam and witnessing the vibe of the Dutch ‘cafes’, he decided to open up his own in Liverpool in 2003.
The Chillin Rooms is more than just a cannabis cafe — for Gary it’s a safe space for a peaceful community he has created. Open 7 days a week, The Chillin Rooms has offered guests an alcohol free environment featuring live music from some of Liverpool’s finest musicians — indeed, the clientele has included some well known famous faces alongside people from all walks of life.
For the past 23 years, not one act of trouble has been reported at The Chillin Rooms and this is something Gary highlights with pride, whilst comparing it to the crimes, violence and murder that happens in the city due to alcohol and harder drugs such as cocaine. But due to the law, Gary has been arrested more than 50 times, has served around 5 years in prison and has had his cafe raided on multiple occasions.
Yet, Gary remains utterly defiant and committed to his cause. Every time The Chillin Rooms gets raided and he gets arrested, he re-opens the cafe upon release — insisting he is doing nothing wrong and is doing society a favour by providing a safer alternative to alcohol and hard drugs. Indeed, he calls his cannabis cafe ‘a harm reduction unit’.
During a previous trial, one judge labelled him “a martyr to cannabis” and it’s clear to see why. Such is his dedication to his dream of a ‘green revolution’, he has sacrificed vast amounts of money due to being struck off from his property business — not to mention time served in jail. But he will simply not back down and has spoken openly on multiple podcasts, including being featured on a BBC Sounds feature.
Today, speaking from prison, he says: “In this case, I’m being charged with allowing cannabis to be smoked on my premises — they’ve dropped possession with intent to supply charges. I’ve now been in prison for around 6 weeks and I’m waiting for my hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 28th April. It’s a difficult situation as I’m a carer for my mother who is ill and I’m going to miss her 80th birthday.”
He continues: “Do I feel like a criminal, a bad person who has done something wrong? Absolutely not and I am willing to fight this cause to the death. You can ask any of the thousands of people who have visited The Chillin Rooms over the past 20 years or so what kind of place it is — a place where people can smoke cannabis in a safe environment. The police should be more concerned about alcohol related crime and violence in the city.”
Many others like Gary who believe that cannabis should be legal for recreational use in the UK also compare it with alcohol that’s completely legal yet causes huge amounts of damage to society in various ways. Pro-cannabis activists also point to many other countries who have legalised it with success — reporting lower crime and addiction statistics.
Ste ‘Weevil’, who has been running ‘The Backbone’ music events at the venue from the beginning, adds: “Anyone who has been to one of our music nights knows what The Chillin Rooms is all about. It’s all about great vibes and great music in a safe environment. We’ve had some of the best musicians in the city play here, including some big names — it’s a very special place.”
He continues: “Some of the most creative and inspiring people I’ve met in my life have been at The Chillin Rooms. Our Backbone music nights have delivered an interactive and inclusive night for everyone and everyone is like family. There have been thousands of friendships made there over the past 23 years. Now compare that to Concert Square and the trouble that happens there.”
Despite being detained in prison awaiting trial, Gary Youds continues to be a voice of reform for what he calls ‘the green revolution’. No matter how many times the police arrest him and shut down his cannabis cafe, he remains determined to fight the authorities until they follow the ways of other countries such as Canada, Spain and Mexico.
Gary explains: “It’s absolute madness! Multiple riot vans and a heavy handed raid for people smoking weed, relaxing, talking and listening to live music — whilst alcohol is completely legal yet reaps havoc in our society. Where is the logic and justice in that? It’s disappointing to be treated like a criminal when I’ve not harmed anyone but I will not back down and countless others agree with me.”
He continues: “I have built an amazing community at The Chillin Rooms and I know that there will be people supporting me for my hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 28th April. But I would like anyone out there who supports my belief to gather there that day — peacefully, of course. We need to stand up and show the authorities that it should not be a crime to smoke cannabis and they should be focusing on alcohol and hard drugs.”
Whilst Gary’s dream of people smoking freely at The Chillin Rooms continues to be met with the heavy hand of the law, there is hope. Cannabis is classified as a Class B controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but there are discussions about decriminalisation of small amounts for personal use and medical cannabis is now in fact legal, albeit strictly regulated. In the meantime, he calls for people’s support on the day of his hearing.
