There was an appeal in a similar case and the court of appeal allowed the
appeal because they hadn't broken any law:

"Appeal court quashes hydroponic cannabis convictions"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/14/drugsandalcohol.law .

It seems East Lancs police are unaware of this. I expect the CPS are,
though.



East Lancs firms raided after police cannabis probe

TWO East Lancashire firms were raided by police investigating businesses
suspected of encouraging cannabis production.

Detectives swooped on New Age Hydroponics, Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen, and
Bopps.com, Hall Street, central Burnley today.

Four other businesses were raided across the county and 12 people were
arrested.

They were last night being quizzed on suspicion of incitement to produce
cannabis and related offences.

Detetive Chief Inspector Steve Mounsey, of Lancashire Police’s serious
and organised crime squad, said: “The premises targeted have been
selected as they are locations where it is suspected hydroponics equipment
has been knowingly sold or offered for sale for the sole purpose of
producing cannabis.

“The fact that these premises exist in five towns within Lancashire and
we suspect they provide everything necessary, including cannabis seeds,
carbon filters for the purpose of disguising smell and books on cannabis
production, illustrates the scale of the problem.

“We are also concerned that there are grounds to suspect some
proprietors have expanded into internet sales of similar equipment.

“What has concerned us is the overt nature of these premises. Some of
them are in town centre locations and it is almost as if they are
condoning this kind of activity.

“That is completely the wrong message to send out as far as we are
concerned.”

The other raids took place in Preston, at City Hydroponics, Great Shaw
Street, and the Legendary Willy Banjos, on Lothian Street, Little
Amsterdam in Springfield Road, Blackpool, and a unit on the South Ribble
Enterprise Park in Walton-le-Dale.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/3740393.East_Lancs_firms_raided_after_police_cannabis_probe/

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

Dr John Watson wrote:
> There was an appeal in a similar case and the court of appeal allowed the
> appeal because they hadn't broken any law:
> 
> "Appeal court quashes hydroponic cannabis convictions"
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/14/drugsandalcohol.law .
> 
> It seems East Lancs police are unaware of this. I expect the CPS are,
> though.
> 
> 
> 
> East Lancs firms raided after police cannabis probe
> 
> TWO East Lancashire firms were raided by police investigating businesses
> suspected of encouraging cannabis production.
> 
> Detectives swooped on New Age Hydroponics, Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen, and
> Bopps.com, Hall Street, central Burnley today.
> 
> Four other businesses were raided across the county and 12 people were
> arrested.
> 
> They were last night being quizzed on suspicion of incitement to produce
> cannabis and related offences.
> 
> Detetive Chief Inspector Steve Mounsey, of Lancashire Police’s serious
> and organised crime squad, said: “The premises targeted have been
> selected as they are locations where it is suspected hydroponics equipment
> has been knowingly sold or offered for sale for the sole purpose of
> producing cannabis.
> 
> “The fact that these premises exist in five towns within Lancashire and
> we suspect they provide everything necessary, including cannabis seeds,
> carbon filters for the purpose of disguising smell and books on cannabis
> production, illustrates the scale of the problem.
> 
> “We are also concerned that there are grounds to suspect some
> proprietors have expanded into internet sales of similar equipment.
> 
> “What has concerned us is the overt nature of these premises. Some of
> them are in town centre locations and it is almost as if they are
> condoning this kind of activity.
> 
> “That is completely the wrong message to send out as far as we are
> concerned.”
> 
> The other raids took place in Preston, at City Hydroponics, Great Shaw
> Street, and the Legendary Willy Banjos, on Lothian Street, Little
> Amsterdam in Springfield Road, Blackpool, and a unit on the South Ribble
> Enterprise Park in Walton-le-Dale.
> 
> http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/3740393.East_Lancs_firms_raided_after_police_cannabis_probe/
> 


  E, by gum! Trouble t'mill!

> They were last night being quizzed on suspicion of incitement to produce
> cannabis and related offences.

The CoA has already ruled this offence doesn't exists. I wonder how
much compensation these owners will be able to complain, when a decent
lawyer goes to court and produces this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/14/drugsandalcohol.law

Noticed at Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:18:44 -0700: Jethro informed us:

> 
>> They were last night being quizzed on suspicion of incitement to produce
>> cannabis and related offences.
> 
> The CoA has already ruled this offence doesn't exists. I wonder how
> much compensation these owners will be able to complain, when a decent
> lawyer goes to court and produces this
> 
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/14/drugsandalcohol.law

If the CPS does it's job properly it won't come to court - it'll be
quietly dropped. I doubt campaigners will let it go quietly.

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street