A PROMINENT pro-cannabis campaigner at the centre of a legal row over the medicinal use of the drug is to stand for Parliament. Jeffrey Ditchfield last night said he is one of around seven candidates being fielded by the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA). If seven candidates stand the party would be entitled to a party political broadcast in Wales. The 45-year-old businessman, from Rhyl, plans to stand against Labour's Chris Ruane in the Vale of Clwyd constituency. "I shall be campaigning on the single issue of the legalisation of cannabis. And I believe that single-issue candidates can sometimes do very well," he said. "Fewer and fewer people vote in elections these days, which shows how disillusioned they are with the main parties. I hope to target first-time voters," he added. Mr Ditchfield runs the Beggars Belief shop in Rhyl's West End where he sells cannabis for medicinal purposes. "The West ward is traditionally where there is the lowest turnout and I hope the local people will turn out this time to support me," he said. Other proposed LCA candidates in Wales include Professor Tim Evans, in Ynys Môn, Winston Matthews, in Clwyd South, and 66-year-old Patricia Tabram from Tyneside. Dubbed the "Cannabis Gran", the pensioner, who is awaiting sentence on a charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, will stand against Wales secretary Peter Hain in Neath. The Alliance also hopes to persuade former drug dealer Howard Marks to become a candidate. On March 31 Marks will attend a fundraising event in aid of the LCA at the Railway Club, Bangor. Mr Ditchfield was arrested on the day he opened the Beggars Belief cafe. He was charged with possessing cannabis with intent to supply, but was acquitted at Chester Crown Court in January, 2004. Last month the Appeal Court was asked by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith to re-examine the defence which resulted in his acquittal. Yesterday Felicity Elphick, the prospective Conservative candidate in the Vale of Clwyd, said she did not know Mr Ditchfield personally but was very concerned about drugs becoming readily available. "I can see there is an argument for legalising some drugs and a tax on them being used to open more rehabilitation units. "But I feel there are much more important things for the West End of Rhyl," she added. Chris Ruane said: "The more candidates, the better for democracy." | 
