Police swoop on cannabis protest
http://www.odt.co.nz/on-campus/university-otago/9276/police-swoop-cannab...
Thu, 12 Jun 2008
By Debbie Porteous
Police have made good on a promise to crack down on marijuana smokers on the University of Otago campus, arresting a student and issuing two people with trespass notices at a regular cannabis-smoking protest yesterday.
And it will not be their last visit, police have promised.
At least two people "scarpered" when five police officers joined university proctor Simon Thompson yesterday at one of the Otago branch of marijuana law reform group Norml's twice-weekly "4.20" meetings on campus, police tactical squad leader Sergeant Chris McLellan said.
A 35-year-old student was arrested during the meeting and charged with possessing cannabis and a cannabis pipe. Two 17-year-old youths were issued trespass notices banning them from the university for two years.
A school pupil in uniform was seen among the group.
Last week, police threatened to clamp down on the meetings, saying there was evidence they were being infiltrated by gangs and convicted drug dealers.
Police were fed up with the group continually thumbing its nose at the authorities, Inspector Dave Campbell said.
A university spokesman said the university had increasing concerns about the group and had asked police to do something about it.
Otago Norml leader Abe Gray said last night club members were not happy about what they believed was a "gross misuse of police resources".
He questioned police grounds for issuing trespass notices and debated whether one of the 17-year-olds was smoking cannabis.
Sgt McLellan said police had issued the teens with trespass notices because they believed they were there with the intention of associating with the protest and smoking cannabis. Mr Gray said members were disappointed with the university's stance on the matter.
"If the university is going to act in a heavy-handed manner towards people who are prospective students just because they don't like the way they dress or they are scared they are going to smoke marijuana, then they won't come here at all."
He said the 4.20 club would not be intimidated and would continue to meet as usual.
Comments so far from the ODT website:
Cannabis smoking on campus
Submitted by Lauds on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 5:53pm.
Those who participate in the 'protest' are breaking the law, pure and simple. If you are willing to break the law, you should accept the consequences. What, exactly, is smoking pot on university grounds going to achieve? If they were serious about their cause, the parliamentary grounds have a lovely big lawn. That is the place to protest against laws. We have access to politicians, contact them. The university can do nothing to change the law and is right to act when it sees the law being broken on its grounds. Norml are flouting the law, not protesting it.
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Cannabis smoking on campus
Submitted by david420 on Fri, 13/06/2008 - 11:11am.
We are breaking a law but the law is unjust.
With regards to parliament:
a) Cannabis was smoked on parliament grounds several times as part of the 2008 Cannabus Tour. It's been done.
b) We don't live in Wellington.
Do you not think we've contacted politicians? Hell, two politicians were in attendence last Friday.
And we are flouting the law as an act of protest. It can be both, not just one or the other.
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Police swoop on cannabis protest
Submitted by durds on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 2:26pm.
I say good on the police. Cannabis is illegal and just because you are a student does not mean you can get away with it. We need to be tougher on people who break the law - especially the minor offences. I read that 17 year olds are involved, which makes it even more necessary for the police to take serious action before these people get addicted to even more powerful drugs.
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Cannabis
Submitted by david420 on Fri, 13/06/2008 - 11:13am.
Cannabis is illegal, and yet two select committies (one under a labour government, and one under a national government) recommended reviewing the legal status, and both also concluded that the current system of prohibition caused more harm than good.
You seem to believe that everyone who smokes cannabis will move on to harder drugs! This is incorrect and misguided.
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I can't believe
Submitted by Bill on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 2:09pm.
I can't believe the police and the university think that this is even an issue. I walk past this group on my way home from work and the idea that this is some kind of gang meeting is absolutely ridiculous. I'm sure the police will accuse them of being on P next.
This group is a weekly peaceful protest. The police officers who thought that it was a good idea to arrest any of their number should have their tax dollars spent on the court case; because I'm sick of mine being used to punish people for smoking a plant when we don't have enough hospital beds or primary school teachers.
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Police swoop on cannabis protest
Submitted by Macdoc on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 7:21am.
This is just so unbelivable...don't the cops have something better to do? Pot is no differnt then beer....
I can't believe it's 2008 and we are still aresting people for pot....or protesting pot being outlawed....I'm 79 years old and think pot should have been legalised years ago...
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Police swoop on cannabis protest
Submitted by Polymath on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 11:49am.
It has nothing to do with legalising it. It is the blatent arrogance and disrgard for the law that currently stands.
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Police swoop on cannabis protest
Submitted by newsbud on Thu, 12/06/2008 - 12:30pm.
If you'll notice the fact that the arrests are occurring at a protest then you'll see that this is totally about the legal status of cannabis. For years now the group have been quietly protesting about the law and nothing has been done about it, other than innocent people becoming criminals for enjoying a joint. Can anyone remember the days of alcohol prohibition and all the fuss that was created about its legal status. Now why are alcohol and pot so different? Is it because of the money being made by the breweries? Is it that freedom of political activities during an election year need be hushed, or does the university believe in a prison state rather than open and free thought. - newsbud
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