Gary Youds is the owner of The Chillin’ Rooms in Kensington, a “cannabis café” that has seen him locked up multiple times
Cannabis campaigner Gary Youds
A cannabis campaigner whose long fight to get the drug legalised has landed him behind bars says “I’m willing to fight this cause to the death”. Gary Youds, 56, is once again serving time at HMP Liverpool due to his refusal to close down his illegal cannabis cafe as part of a campaign which has been going on for more than two decades.
Gary began his latest stay in Walton prison in February after Merseyside Police, Trading Standards, Liverpool City Council’s licensing team and HM Revenue and Customs once again raided his long time base, The Chillin’ Rooms in Kensington.
The Chillin’ Rooms can trace its roots back some 24 years, when the then 33-year-old business owner first sought to convert a former taxi office on Holt Road into a “private members club” for the smoking of the class B drugs.
While Gary, who spoke of being inspired by the cannabis cafes of Amsterdam, was thwarted by objecting police and the council’s planning committee, he defied orders and opened its doors regardless.
The “tea shop” has waged a near-constant battle with the law ever since, periodically being raided and shut down before inevitably reopening again.
Gary, a former property developer, entered the world of cannabis cafes in 2003 after attending a Cannabis Conference in Amsterdam and seeing how things worked there.
Through The Chillin’ Rooms, he hoped to offer guests a peaceful community with an alternative to alcohol and harder drugs.
Inside the Chillin’ Rooms(Image: Gary Youds)
But because cannabis is illegal in the UK, Gary has been arrested more than 50 times, and has served around five years in prison so far on drug charges. The latest raid on the reopened Chillin’ Rooms took place on February 18 this year, when police seized “large quantities of suspected controlled B drugs, cannabis in various forms, including cannabis brownies, cookies and sweets”.
Youds once again appeared before the court last month, pleading guilty to permitting the use of premises for smoking a class B drug via video link from HMP Liverpool. A further charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply was ordered to lie on the file by the prosecution.
He will reappear at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, April 28 for sentencing.
Speaking from his jail cell, he said: “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 six weeks and I’m waiting for my hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. 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.
“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.”
He added: “It’s absolute madness! Multiple vans and a heavy handed raid for people smoking weed, relaxing, talking and listening to live music — whilst alcohol is completely legal yet wreaks 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.
“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.”
Gary Youds, pictured wearing a light pink jumper, with his supporters outside Liverpool Crown Court in Derby Square.
In 2023, Gary received a three-year prison sentence after trying to supply a terminally ill man with free drugs to ease his pain. He pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of cannabis.
The move sparked protest from fellow cannabis campaigners, who gathered outside the courtroom.
Ste Weevil, who runs “The Backbone” music events at The Chillin’ Rooms, said: “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.
“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.”
Merseyside Police vow to “target anyone who is involved in the supply of illegal drugs”
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “A man has pleaded guilty to several drugs offences following a raid at a cannabis café in Liverpool. Gary Youds, 56 years, of Cavan Road in Clubmoor, pleaded guilty to permit use of a premises to smoke controlled drugs, Class B cannabis and possession with intent to supply class B drug cannabis. On Monday 20 April.
“On Wednesday 18 February officers carried out a law enforcement order with Trading Standards, HMRC, and Liverpool City Council’s Licensing at a place known as the ‘Chillin Rooms’ in Kensington.
“During the search of the premises officers seized large quantities of suspected controlled B drugs, cannabis in various forms including cannabis brownies, cookies and sweets. In addition, business cards and ‘Chillin Rooms’ branded merchandise for sale were found.
“A further search was carried out at an address in Liverpool where more cannabis of various forms including sweets and cookies were found.
“Youds was later charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs namely cannabis, and permit use of premises for smoking controlled Class B drug – cannabis/cannabis resin.”
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “We will target anyone who is involved in the supply of illegal drugs in public premises across Merseyside.
“We know that criminals involved in the cultivation and supply of cannabis can bring threats, intimidation and violence to communities in Merseyside, and exploit vulnerable young people to deal drugs.
“Our officers will continue our commitment to shut down any premises suspected of being involved in the supply of illegal drugs and to bring those responsible before the courts.
“In this case at least three police vehicles were used during the search of the premises on Wednesday 18 February.
“We also encourage the public to report anyone who is involved in storing or supplying drugs in our community.”
If you have any information about dangerous drugs being supplied in your area please report it to police as soon as possible. Contact police via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.