Arrested For Smoking Tobacco In Public

Elanor Stedman, 23, Motueka resident, was arrested on Saturday at an International Jday celebration. Jday is celebrated in worldwide to call upon society to end the prohibition of cannabis, and to free the weed. People currently in prisons, and before the courts, on cannabis charges are political prisoners.

After playing large board games and having a successful stall where many members of Motueka were further educated about the reality of continuing an outdated approach of arresting cannabis smokers, the police turned up. Elanor was arrested shortly after 4.30pm for a Class C drug possession, despite her reminders to the police to have a closer look at her tobacco cigarette.

This highlights the waste of time, resources, and money that the police are spending upon cannabis prohibition. The police have real crime in our communities, and delayed responses to alcohol fuelled violence over the weekend. The police need to prioritise crime in this area, and crimes with victims, such as violence, are a good place to start. Arresting otherwise lawabiding peaceful citizens for smoking cannabis is turning too many of our young people into criminals. To what advantage is it to the community to be arresting the future and burdening them with a criminal record? Especially when it is socially accepted amongst so many of New Zealanders.

It also shows the lack of understanding and education that the police have had regarding cannabis. Recently it was stated in the Nelson Court that users spot cannabis seeds with hot knives, something that many smokers would strenously deny . When asked how he knew this, the police officer relied upon his 18 year experience in the police force.

So if the police are not able to adaquately identify cannabis, nor knowledgable about how it is smoked, how can we trust their discretion and judgement regarding drugs in the community? This misdiagnosis is systemic amongst tasman area police, and their blunders are further tying up the courts time. The police should have a reality check, and decide to reprioritise their time.

Elanor shall be set free!

ENDS

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