J Day protesters call for decriminalisation of cannabis

About 50 people turned out last weekend to celebrate J Day at Hamilton Lake as part of a global event protesting cannabis prohibition.

Protesters listened to bands and relaxed with friends on the grass.

Norml NZ member and J Day co-organiser Gary Chiles said cannabis law reform was a big issue this year, being an election year.

“The Psychoactive Substances Act now has a legal regulated structure. We want the spotlight to come back on cannabis, which is currently prohibited. Many are aware that cannabis is actually less harmful than the substances that were legalised.

“We want to point out the absurdity of this hypocrisy.”

“Peggy Sue” (not her real name), does not fit the stereotype for a cannabis user.

“I’m a cancer sufferer. I’ve just been diagnosed. I’ve had anxiety depression for years, and it’s the only thing that helps me eat and sleep. I’ve just had my kidney out, that’s where the cancer was. After the operation my surgeon said, ‘Go home and have a joint. That will be the best thing for you right now’.”

Full-time worker “Rob” (not his real name) said he wanted cannabis decriminalised for medicinal use.

“I suffer with a medical illness myself, which I use it for.  Today I’m using my right to express my opinion and come here to protest. I’m not out of it all the time. I still go to work and work productively. It’s not about getting wasted.”

Rob was diagnosed with depression at the age of 15 when he was prescribed Prozac by his doctor. He took it for two months.

“It ruined my sleeping patterns. I was up and down. It completely destroyed me. I’m not going to get loaded up on pills that make me feel like shit when I can simply smoke a joint and I feel fine.”

Gary Chiles told the protesters that there was a large number of users who find far better medicinal relief from using cannabis than prescription substances.

“And they’re being treated like criminals just the same as recreational users. It is in my opinion tantamount to torture to deny people adequate healthcare because of political, not scientific reasons.”