THE local Euro MP who appeared in court on drug charges after protesting against Britain's laws on cannabis said he had elected trial by jury so that he could argue against the disproportionate drug laws.
Liberal democrat Chris Davies was arrested on Saturday after he presented himself at Stockport Police Station brandishing a small amount of the prohibited drug on the back of a postage stamp.
Today, the MEP for the North-west appeared before magistrates in the town charged with possession after he was arrested by 12 police officers during the protest.
Davies, of Greenfield in Oldham, spoke to confirm his details and indicate that he would plead not guilty to the charge during a 10-minute hearing in Stockport.
In front of a packed public gallery, Davies, who was dressed in a grey suit with a pink shirt and patterned tie, elected to have his case heard by a jury at Crown Court.
He was remanded on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates for committal on January 29. Reporting restrictions were lifted.
Outside the court, the 47-year-old MEP said he had elected trial by jury so that he could argue against Britain's disproportionate drug laws.
He said: "It is not proportionate that we can buy a bottle of whisky or any other alcohol that can cause more harm to the body and to society through the violence it engenders than a small amount of cannabis consumed in coffee or cake."
Davies was supported in his action by two Italian MEPs from their country's Radical Party.
Greater Manchester Police criticised Chris Davies following his arrest on Saturday, accusing him of wasting police time and urging him to use his influence as a politician to change laws rather than to break them.
But Davies said that as a member of the European Parliament, he was in no position to lobby for changes in domestic law and added that he hoped his arrest and subsequent charge would finally start a "serious debate" about the use of cannabis in the UK.
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