NT: Five arrested in Darwin marijuana rally
By Rod McGuirk
DARWIN, April 21 AAP - Five marijuana enthusiasts were arrested during protest actionthis weekend but not for smoking what was touted as Australia's biggest joint.
Network Against Prohibition (NAP) spokesman Gary Myerhoff was the first to be arrestedin chaotic scenes in Darwin's Raintree Park.
More than 100 people were gathered in the park to protest against the proposed tougheningof Northern Territory drug laws and to listen to reggae music.
One man was arrested after puffing from a 90cm cigarette called the community joint,which was rolled with butchers' paper.
He will be charged with possession of cannabis, but the offence is unrelated to thecommunity joint.
"It potentially isn't cannabis," said Police Superintendent Greg Dowd when asked whypolice had not seized the joint.
NAP spokesman Scott White confirmed the community joint had been rolled with tobaccoand legal herbs.
"We didn't want to come in with half a kilo of marijuana; it was a symbol," Mr White said.
While the community joint was symbolic, many demonstrators appeared to be passing aroundmarijuana joints despite a heavy police presence.
Supt Dowd said Mr Myerhoff would be charged with failing to obey a direction to leave the park.
Another three people were arrested in the melee as more than a dozen uniform policeand detectives wrestled Mr Myerhoff into a police van.
Supt Dowd said a quantity of leafy material which police suspected was cannabis hadbeen seized before any arrests had been made.
"There may be resist arrests (charges laid), disorderly behaviour and potentially someassault charges as well," he said.
"There may well be some drug-related charges."
Mr White said the arrests were made to prevent criticism of the government.
NAP wants the government to accept marijuana as an integral part of the territory's lifestyle.
The government will introduce legislation next month that will increase police powersto act against householders who are suspected of dealing in drugs.
AAP rmg/wjf/sb/bwl
KEYWORD: MARIJUANA (PIX AVAILABLE)
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