Adrian Peters from Swansea refused to close his store Re-treat CBD selling legal CBD (Cannabidiol) despite threats from South Wales Police
"The police have tried to shut me down." He said
"I would always tell my daughter to run to a policeman. I will never tell that to her now."
"After these experiences I tell them not to go near to any copper. You stay well away from a person in Uniform."
After several visits the police themselves gave up knowing knowing he was adamant in remaining open.
When asked what he said to the police : "I stood on common law and informed them of the trading standards." He said.
When they attempted to issue him a fine he refused to consent to the police. He said that police officers couldn't stop him trading and demanded they show him the law instead of emergency legislation that warrants a fine.
He described the role of police officers as civil servants working for a corporation unaware of the laws compared to police constables who had legal training.
"There is a difference between law and legislation. When the officers told me to put on a mask I said it wasn't law but a statute. I told them if they try to enforce it on me I can take them to court on grounds of negligence."
He was then visited by members of the trading standards who attempted to persuade him to close
With a compelling argument made to trading standards and the police they were unable to fine him and were left with no option but to leave the premises.
Adrian described how he became involved in selling CBD and how it has helped him on his own mental health journey.
"I used cannabis massively as a young man, I was born again for 20 odd years. Had a breakdown."
Soon after his mental breakdown he started therapy and was introduced to CBD which transformed his life.
He explained how CBD helped to achieve homeostasis in the body when introduced into the bloodstream by regulating brain chemicals which can often trigger anxiety and depression.
When asked how the police visits affected his clients he said: "Customers were really scared. Some were upset every morning and were vulnerable people."
With a background in psychotherapy and selling organically sourced CBD his store has helped many with mental health difficulties in the lockdown.
He said he needed to oppose the current legislations because he needed to earn a living and to keep his store open as a safe space for the vulnerable.
Harrison Bright from Swansea who had been working with Adrian described the police encounters.
He said their presence was "Intimidating" and "Unnecessary" since they were all following the guidelines for social distancing.
When asked how the police visit impacted the customer he said."I noticed a lot of them looked quite scared. We had a lady Tracy who comes regularly who has quite a few mental health issues. I could tell she was very scared. The police did try to go up to her and stood over her while she was sitting down."
"They just came in with a sense that they could say and do whatever. They came in and started to have a go at people."
He then described how a man tried to challenge the authority of the police using Common law and was arrested but later discharged outside a car park.
He mentioned how the store wasn't eligible for furlough since they weren't open full time long enough to be part of the scheme.
"We explained that I had been working part-time but they said sorry its not our problem. I couldn't do anything about getting furloughed."
Luckily Harrison had savings which helped him through that difficult time with little support from government.
Harrison had been working alongside Adrian him from the beginning as a market stall selling Natural medicine over a year ago.
Their popularity as a market gave way to a store opening just before the Pandemic. Unfortunately they were soon forced to close due to lockdown restrictions and denied any furlough. Adrian had no choice but to open up or face losing his business.
When Adrian was asked about how his customers felt about the NHS and pharmaceutical drugs he said:
"People are too scared to go to the doctors. They don't trust them."
"More people are developing mental health problems and losing their faith in the NHS."
He feels that lockdowns and the media have increased fear and distrust of the NHS and hospitals making mental health worse.
He described a story of a local neighbour in the area who had pains in her chest but was too afraid of going to hospital because of the pandemic. She sadly died a few days later in her home of a heart attack.
Stories like these describe the real fear caused by COVID during lockdown.
Witnessing the need and reliance on Adrian's store, those with mental health issues have found a community with much needed face-to face support during lockdown.
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