Pubdate: Mon, 05 May 2014
Source: Taranaki Daily News (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact:  http://www.thedailynews.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1056
Author: Isobel Ewing

NATURAL HIGHS TOP SMOKERS' CHOICES

A soggy day didn't stub the spirit of a group of marijuana supporters 
celebrating "J Day".

About 40 people gathered at the Bowl of Brooklands for the event, 
which aimed at getting people talking about cannabis and how it can 
be used in a safe way.

The smell of marijuana smoke suggested the drug was not only being 
talked about.

The nationwide J Day celebrations were held as debate raged over the 
future legality of and harm caused by synthetic cannabis.

Last week Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne announced the 
Government would introduce legislation to remove synthetic drugs from 
sale within three weeks until they could be proven low-risk.

Those present at the New Plymouth J Day celebrations had no doubts 
about the risks of synthetic cannabis.

"It's horrible stuff," Kerr Sharpe-Young said.

"Why would you legalise something that people overdose on, lose their minds on?

"Who's ever been hospitalised from smoking weed?"

Karl Raubenheimer said it was bizarre that synthetic cannabis 
products had remained on the shelf for so long.

"It shouldn't be allowed, what's that about? I wouldn't smoke it," he said.

Raubenheimer said New Zealand should follow in the footsteps of other 
countries in allowing access to cannabis for medicinal use.

"A lot of the world is getting pretty progressive with cannabis laws."

He said the drug should at least be decriminalised to make better use 
of police resources.

"So police can spend less time on weed and more time on stuff like P."

He said people who were opposed to cannabis use needed to look at the 
damage alcohol did to New Zealand society.

"If I have kids I'd rather them smoke [marijuana] than drink vodka."

Others at the event said it was about educating people about marijuana.

At J Day celebrations that took place all over New Zealand, thousands 
openly smoked cannabis in public parks and domains.

The events were organised by Norml, the National Organisation for the 
Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Norml advocates to end cannabis prohibition in New Zealand and bring 
about progressive drug policies.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom