Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jun 2010
Source: Marlborough Express (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2010 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.marlboroughexpress.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1139
Author: Blair Ensor

CANNABIS PROTESTER FACES ARREST

A teenager who wants cannabis legalised will be arrested if he shows
up at a protest he organised in Blenheim today, say police.

Josh Richard Lucas, 17, wants cannabis decriminalised or legalised and
has organised a protest which begins at midday at Pollard Park.

However, he has been charged with theft and is on bail in relation to
the ransacking of a wine warehouse near Blenheim.

Lucas appeared in Blenheim District Court on April 9 charged with
stealing more than $5000 worth of goods from a warehouse at 20 Bomford
St in Blenheim between March 29 and April 7.

Gort Vintners owner Gordon Forshaw stored his wine at the
warehouse.

Lucas has denied the charges and been remanded on bail with a 24-hour
curfew to a Lower Hutt address. He is due to appear in Blenheim
District Court again on June 15.

Constable Michelle Stagg, of Blenheim, said Lucas would be arrested if
he was seen in Blenheim.

When contacted by The Express yesterday Lucas said he might not attend
because he was "busy", but the event would go ahead.

He denied being on 24-hour curfew.

He said the protest would be run by Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
member Julian Crawford, from Nelson, or National Organisation for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws president Phil Saxby.

However, Mr Saxby said he supported the protest, but "communication
difficulties" meant he was unable to attend.

Mr Crawford said he was coming, but was unaware he may have to run the
event.

"It might be a case of seeing who turns up. If there's a crowd then
maybe (there will be) a discussion and then a march."

In April, Mr Forshaw told The Marlborough Express he was about $40,000
out of pocket and financially ruined after thieves made off with his
wine.

The Marlborough community has rallied around Mr Forshaw, who suffers
from Parkinson's disease.

Thousands of dollars worth of wine has been donated to get his
business back on its feet and proceeds from Jammin' For A Cause at The
Builders Arms on June 26 will go to the Gort Vintners trust account. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D