More than a hundred protesters from around New Zealand will march on Blenheim's Seymour Square next month to protest at the Government's prohibition of marijuana.
The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has organised the protest which begins at midday on June 10.
Marlborough NORML member Josh Lucas, from Woodbourne, said groups from Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland would attend the event.
Earlier this year, Justice Minister Simon Power said there was not a "single solitary chance" that the Government would be relaxing drug laws while he was the minister.
Mr Lucas, 18, said he had smoked cannabis for five years, and held opposing views to Mr Power.
Cannabis should be legalised or decriminalised, he said.
Mr Lucas said the Government stood to benefit from taxing or regulating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco, while the processing and growing of cannabis could create jobs.
Legalising the drug would free up space in prisons for violent offenders. Cannabis also had proven medicinal qualities, he said.
Mr Lucas said protesters would assemble at Pollard Park at noon before marching to Seymour Square for the main protest.
Members of the public had to be 18 or older to take part in the protest.
Mr Lucas said Kaikoura MP Colin King had been invited and Nelson Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party member Julian Crawford would attend.
Mr King told The Marlborough Express he would not attend the event because marijuana was illegal.
"We've got enough trouble with alcohol and driving ages without inflicting on society other challenges," he said.
Drug Arm Blenheim chairman Roy Ramsey said there were serious problems surrounding the use of marijuana and it was irresponsible for a group to promote its use in a public place.
"Blatantly going round and smoking buds is not smart...we don't want to be putting more kids into danger."
Mr Ramsey said the group needed to work through other channels if they wanted to get cannabis legalised.
If the event went ahead he would be there to provide information about the dangers of using drugs.
"If they think can smoke in a public place they have probably been smoking too much already," Mr Ramsay said.
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan of Blenheim told The Marlborough Express that police were aware of the protest, but would not provide any further comment.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Stuff.co.nz
Contact: Stuff.co.nz
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Website: Marijuana smokers to march in Blenheim
The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has organised the protest which begins at midday on June 10.
Marlborough NORML member Josh Lucas, from Woodbourne, said groups from Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland would attend the event.
Earlier this year, Justice Minister Simon Power said there was not a "single solitary chance" that the Government would be relaxing drug laws while he was the minister.
Mr Lucas, 18, said he had smoked cannabis for five years, and held opposing views to Mr Power.
Cannabis should be legalised or decriminalised, he said.
Mr Lucas said the Government stood to benefit from taxing or regulating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco, while the processing and growing of cannabis could create jobs.
Legalising the drug would free up space in prisons for violent offenders. Cannabis also had proven medicinal qualities, he said.
Mr Lucas said protesters would assemble at Pollard Park at noon before marching to Seymour Square for the main protest.
Members of the public had to be 18 or older to take part in the protest.
Mr Lucas said Kaikoura MP Colin King had been invited and Nelson Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party member Julian Crawford would attend.
Mr King told The Marlborough Express he would not attend the event because marijuana was illegal.
"We've got enough trouble with alcohol and driving ages without inflicting on society other challenges," he said.
Drug Arm Blenheim chairman Roy Ramsey said there were serious problems surrounding the use of marijuana and it was irresponsible for a group to promote its use in a public place.
"Blatantly going round and smoking buds is not smart...we don't want to be putting more kids into danger."
Mr Ramsey said the group needed to work through other channels if they wanted to get cannabis legalised.
If the event went ahead he would be there to provide information about the dangers of using drugs.
"If they think can smoke in a public place they have probably been smoking too much already," Mr Ramsay said.
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan of Blenheim told The Marlborough Express that police were aware of the protest, but would not provide any further comment.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Stuff.co.nz
Contact: Stuff.co.nz
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Website: Marijuana smokers to march in Blenheim
