Margate’s Bong Shop will remain closed until December 6 following a ‘closure order’ hearing at magistrates court yesterday (November 6).
Thanet council placed a closure notice on the High Street store at the end of last month for alleged antisocial behaviour and drug dealing.
Owner Thule Letts said she had no warning of the closure and had only just got back from a holiday in Crete when she discovered Thanet council had taken the action and that there was a court hearing in Margate on October 29.
This was then adjourned to November 6.
Thule said the action appeared to have come on the heels of a visit from Kent Police, Kent Trading Standards and Thanet council in September where they took away some Cannabidiol (CBD) products.
Thule says the allegations related to products that were 0.2% THC – the compound in cannabis that causes a “high”- and said she believed they were legal products.
A Freedom of Information response made by the Met Police says CBD is legal if it contains less than 1mg of THC, THCV and CBN in the final preparation. It adds that 0.2% is not a classification of a legal product but a guideline relating to which hemp varieties can be used by licensed commercial growers.
However, the Cannabidiol (CBD) flower, which can be smoked, vaped, or made into tea, is classified as a controlled substance and is illegal and it was this ‘bud’ that was removed from the shop.
Magistrates yesterday ordered a one month closure due to the sale of the CBD bud but no action was taken for antisocial behaviour, which Thule had previously questioned as an inaccurate claim.
Thanet council says she was not accused of antisocial behaviour but the action was taken under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 “because of the potential negative impacts on public health and the wider community.”
Thule said: “There were two lady magistrates. They heard the council opening and my defence and then said the CBD bud was illegal and ordered the one month shut down.
“I am still able to sell my Professor Herb products when I reopen. The one month isn’t as bad as the three months (Thanet council requested) and the magistrates did agree my shop is not antisocial.”
The shop will reopen on December 6.
The closure caused a backlash locally with a petition launched by Margate/East Kent People gaining 860 signatures.
The Bong Shop (and Joke Shop) has been running since the 1960s first at Arlington Arcade with Thule’s mum at the helm and then in the High Street since around 2011 following closure of the arcade site.
A Thanet council statement says: “This closure was ordered by Medway Magistrates Court on the grounds that continued operation would threaten public health, consumer safety and community welfare. This action was taken on the basis that the premises had been supplying products containing THC which is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”
Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Community at Thanet District Council added: “Selling illegal substances from retail stores, including smoke shops, poses serious threats to both public health and community safety. The council had evidence that illegal controlled substances were being sold from the premises and took appropriate action to enforce this.
“Where any business is found to be acting in conflict with controlled drugs laws, consumer protection requirements or regulatory standards, the council has a duty to take action. We are keen to support local businesses, but it is vital that retailers understand and comply with current rules to ensure they operate legally.”
Yet another own goal by TDC – what a waste of money, time and resources. Magistrates did not agree with anti social nonsense.
Thanet District Council. Ruining small business since 1974.
At least its not total bad news now (but still ridiculous!).
Yes, especially given the total blind eye that TDC turn to the blatant money laundering barbers, vape shop, nail bars which make up much of the High Street these days.
I know that Mrs Trellis will be a new customer upon reopening.
A one month shop closure doesn’t seem like much of a deterrent for being found guilty of drug dealing!
They weren’t. Otherwise people would’ve been arrested and charged.
“However, the Cannabidiol (CBD) flower, which can be smoked, vaped, or made into tea, is classified as a controlled substance and is illegal and it was this ‘bud’ that was removed from the shop.
Magistrates yesterday ordered a one month closure due to the sale of the CBD bud but no action was taken on claims of antisocial behaviour which Thule strenuously denies.”
Seems clear enough to me. An illegal controlled substance was being sold & the shop has been closed because of it. Can’t think of a better description of “drug dealing”.
Hopefully Kathy can put me straight if I’ve misunderstood the report.
Mr Brown – Magistrates got it right – as first your definition of ‘drug dealing’ well! At least a small business survives although shop items not my cup of tea.
yes sound thinking. interesting small shop keeps operating in yhe high st if its not for you don’t sho there punished for stocking a flower!? the law is an ass
So the anti-social stuff was as predicted total nonsense by TDC with zero evidence to back the claim up. Again, if the bud was taken should it not have just been a warning from TDC? What is the point of closing a store paying rent & taxes down?
Seems TDC want rid of it for whatever reason-maybe they want it for another ‘art hub’ or just want it sitting empty with whited out windows, like most of the shops locally?
A bit of compensation for lost trade?
And whom do you propose should pay that compensation ?
Are you happy for it to come from your council tax or your income tax ?
Any business interruption insurance is likely to refuse to pay on the basis of the business being closed by order of a court of law.
It should come out of TDC’s employee’s deep pockets.
Absolutely rubbish they are full of it feel for the business tbh such a wonderful shop but 1 month is better than 3 it could have been worse let’s see if TDC sort out the money laundering and illegal immigrants ect but I doubt that very much
Good news stories great ready agaín and again .ISLE OF THANET NEWS viva
99.9% of Thanet take drugs.
Dreamland allows drugs but they never closed
I take lots of drugs, every single day (statins, aspirin, ramipril and several others!).
I never take recreational drugs though, and I rarely drink beyond a glass of sherry or a small glass of wine twice a week.
Yawn!
Stoned again?
What do you think sherry and wine are in not drugs
Funny how the do gooders, forget that smoking, and alcohol are drugs, but thats ok because their industries paid off Bribed the right people, probably your relatives
Back in the day
My weekly glass of sherry is purely medicinal.
There’s no smoke without fire.