Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2003
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003
Contact:  http://www2.odt.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Author: CHRIS MORRIS

NO ARRESTS OF CANNABIS PROTESTERS

Police say they had better things to do than arrest protesters smoking 
cannabis in the Dunedin Central Police Station at the weekend.

About 20 protesters entered the station foyer on Saturday afternoon smoking 
cannabis joints to highlight their call for cannabis law reform. They had 
earlier attended the fourth annual J-Day - "joint day" - rally in the 
Octagon, where cannabis was also smoked.

Police did not attend the rally and declined to act when the protesters 
smoked cannabis inside the station.

City area controller Inspector Dave Campbell said police did not have a 
policy of ignoring J-Day but chose to ignore the action on Saturday because 
of staff numbers and the minor nature of the offending.

"It was just an act of defiance and I believe was treated appropriately. 
These things depend on what else we are doing at the time.

"It's all about priorities."

Southern district commander Superintendent Nick Perry said the offending 
was not "at the higher end of the scale" and police resources were better 
used elsewhere.

"The reality of the situation is, if we have a number of people turning up 
to commit an offence that we are not in a situation to deal with at the 
time, we don't initiate any action."

Dealing with the protesters would have been a "considerable drain on 
resources". Police would have acted if the offending was serious enough.

When contacted yesterday, protest organiser Duncan Eddy agreed police 
resources were better targeted elsewhere. The incident highlighted the need 
for cannabis law reform.

"I don't think they should be busting anyone for smoking pot, because 
they've got better things to do. There's not enough police to deal with 
real crime, let alone cannabis crime," he said.

Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson, who spoke at the rally on Saturday, said 
when contacted yesterday he supported partial decriminalisation.

"My main concern with legislation as it is, is the damage done to someone 
who might be apprehended with a small amount of marijuana for personal use 
is grossly in excess of their misdemeanour."

Partial decriminalisation would mean it would not be a criminal offence to 
be found with small amounts of marijuana for personal use, he said.

However, partial decriminalisation would likely face stiff opposition from 
New Zealand First and United Future.
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