Newshawk: http://www.norml.org.nz
Subject: Westport cannabis smokers avoid arrest
Source: New Zealand Press Association (New Zealand wire)
Pubdate: Thursday, 17 April 2008
Author: NZPA
URL: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4485022a6047.html
Cited: NORML NZ's Canna-Bus Tour www.cannabus.org.nz

Westport cannabis smokers avoid arrest

A group of protesters openly smoked cannabis outside Westport's
Clocktower Chambers yesterday, but police did not intervene.

Three Aucklanders, representing the group Norml -- the National
Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -- drove into Westport in
"The CannaBus''.

They invited locals to join them at the clocktower to protest against
cannabis prohibition.

Police constable Paul Sampson, of Westport, said he drove past the
clocktower at 4pm yesterday and saw the group standing outside the bus,
which was surrounded by road cones.

"When I saw the cones out, I made the assumption that the council had
given them permission to be there.''

He saw them handing out leaflets and did not stop because he did not see
their behaviour as offensive.

"It crossed my mind that they might have been smoking cannabis but then
I thought, surely not on the main street.''

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