Experts on cannabis are due to attend a meeting on Saturday to discuss opening a cannabis café in Thanet.

A full house is expected at the gathering, called by Green Party district councillor and parliamentary candidate for Thanet South In Driver.

He said: “I have been inundated with messages from local cannabis users who said they be coming to the meeting. I am confident that we will be able to establish a group of people who will take the cannabis café idea forward and who will campaign on behalf of cannabis users in Thanet.”

Speakers at the meeting will include Professor Alex Stevens from the University of Kent, an international authority on cannabis law reform, and representatives from he Kent Cannabis Consortium, and the UK Cannabis Social Clubs.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Anne Barnes declined an invitation to attend.

Cllr Driver said: “I am very disappointed that Anne Barnes will not be present. The debate about drugs and policing is becoming much more topical and important. Senior police officers such as Chief Constable Mike Barton of the Durham Constabulary and senior politicians like Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg, are calling for an informed national debate about drugs policy.

“Just two weeks ago a Government e-petition, sponsored by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, calling for a review of UK drugs laws received more than 135,000 signatures.”

Cllr Driver has said previously that the proposal was to develop an Amsterdam-style cafe "where like-minded people can hang out and relax with their friends.”

The meeting will take place from 1 to 3pm at the Red Hall, 11 Grosvenor Road, Broadstairs on March 15.