2000 Submissions Say "Stop the Arrests, End the Drug War"

Dakta Green – founder of the Daktory – has just completed the second leg of the Armistice 2010 Tour and describes it as "a resounding triumph for commonsense and justice."

"In a fortnight on the road, we have collected more than 2000 public submissions saying ‘Stop the arrests - end the drug war now’ which I will be delivering to the Law Commission at 1pm on Friday," Dakta Green said.

The submission form designed by NORML allowed people to tick up to 11 proposals for drug law reform, including:

• stopping criminal penalties for drug use
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• reducing penalties for personal use and "social supply" (eg, non-profit supply to friends)
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• medicinal use of cannabis
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• low-risk drugs regulated via an "adults-only, taxable market"
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• rejection of "obsolete and failing" international drug conventions
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Mr Green has been driving Maryjane the CannaBus through the rural heartland of the North Island, raising awareness on drug reform matters and collecting submissions on the Law Commission’s review of drug laws.

"We’ve been getting a level of response far beyond what our expectations were two weeks ago when we left the Daktory in Auckland."

Mr Green says the mood of the public has changed, as "the average New Zealander no longer wants to stay quiet about how the law is affecting them."

"We’ve been stopping in towns and cities everywhere and collecting individual submissions that people are writing and handing to us."

"Ordinary Kiwis are telling it like it is and what they’re saying is: ‘Stop the arrests! Stop locking up our children, our partners, our friends!"

Dakta Green said that beyond mere numbers, the two week tour throughout the heartland of the North Island has been very effective in raising public awareness. "We’re spreading the motto of ‘Live Like It's Legal’ and helping set up a nationwide Daktory network."

Dakta Green said there is huge goodwill on the road and heartland NZ is demanding we replace the current criminalisation of cannabis smokers with a more rational approach. "We're not talking Ponsonby cafes; this is real rural NZ. People we meet on the road invite us into their homes at night."

"Ordinary New Zealanders have now had their say on updating our cannabis laws. We're calling for commonsense, justice and compassion. A legal, regulated adults-only market for cannabis is inevitable," concluded Dakta Green.

On Saturday 1st of May, NORML will celebrate the 19th annual J Day, with free events planned in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

ENDS

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