Archive for the ‘Dakta Green’ Category
The Daktory is now closed
December 7th, 2012
Dakta Green
December 7 2012
Apologies for the long delay since the last blog – it has been a time of struggle and uncertainty for everyone at the Daktory.
First of all, the Daktory is now closed. The effort to reopen part time did not generate enough interest to make it worthwhile. So a peaceful, friendly cannabis club that was enjoyed by thousands of people for three and a half years has been shut down by the police – no doubt acting under orders from Peter Dunne, the sinister and corrupt anti-cannabis United Future MP, or someone who looks just like him.
Since Dakta Green’s arrest in June he has had 14 visits from the police at the Daktory, doing “bail checks” – their term for harassment. The cops have also stopped Dakta Green in his car and also other people who have been seen leaving the Daktory, checking their driver’s licenses, registration, warrants of fitness etc. Traffic stop they call it. Harassment is an ugly word. They have made it clear that they want the Daktory to stay closed and Dakta Green to leave town.
The Daktory still gets visitors from out of town and out of the country. It is sad to have to turn them away – so if you are reading this and wanted to visit, go visit to your Member of Parliament or the equivalent in your country instead, and tell them to legalise cannabis and end the drug war. To purchase cannabis, see your local gang – they are still in business and not bothered by the police.
While the Daktory cannot continue in its present location, the concept behind it is not going to die. Plans are being made to re-establish the Daktory in a new location with a new format – watch this space for further details.
In the meantime, cannabis prohibition is slowly but surely crumbling worldwide, as a growing number of world leaders and celebrities speak out against it – the president of Colombia being one of the latest. Voters in the US states of Colorado and Washington have legalised cannabis for adults – it remains to be seen what hypocrite pothead Barack Obama will do about it. Polls * have shown that a majority of Americans now support legalising cannabis.
New Zealand remains stuck in the dark ages of prohibition. The government steadfastly ignores any attempt to even discuss an alternative to the current regime. But inevitably prohibition will fall like the Berlin wall – a corrupt and broken system cannot last forever.
*
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/record-58-percent-americans-say-legalize-marijuana
Space – Who Needs It?
October 21st, 2012
Dakta Green
21 October 2012
Who needs space – for a party, rehearsal, course, seminar, meeting place, film set – anything else you can think of?
The Daktory offers plenty of space for all kinds of events. There is a projector and screen for showing films, a good sound system, recreational facilities, plenty of room and plenty of seating. The furniture can be arranged to suit whatever you want to do. Catering can be DIY.
The Daktory is available for hire on very reasonable terms. Give us a call on (09) 948 1049 to talk about your event and what you need. We want to help you make it a success!
Just dropping by for a visit….
There has been one visit from the cops in the past week – Sergeant Winthrop stopped by on his own, without his usual backup. On Sunday, while the club was open, 3 cop cars drove by very slowly, but did not stop to visit. One of the cop cars stopped close to the building, turned the flashing lights on for about 30 seconds, sat there a little longer, then drove slowly away.
What does that mean? A new form of surveillance? Testing the lights? Just felt like flashing? Maybe the Cyber Crime Unit will tell us – they read these blogs, because trying to legalise cannabis is a danger to society, or something.
The current government’s hostility to cannabis is no doubt part of John Key’s desperate sucking up to the USA. In a few weeks, 3 American states – Colorado, Oregon and Washington – will have binding referendums on legalising cannabis for adults. There is a good chance they will pass in at least 2 states. Then things could get interesting.
Our next court support protest will be for Billy McKee’s sentencing on October 30 in Palmerston North. Contact the Daktory if you want to be there or you can help in any way.
Police and Thieves
October 8th, 2012
The Daktory
Police and Thieves is an old reggae song. It makes the point that there is no real difference between the two.
At our protest at Waitakere District Court today, police proved the point – they stole our signs, in broad daylight, in front of witnesses.
Members of the protest team placed some signs up against a police car for a photo opportunity. It was Car N71, registration GFB454. We provide this information in case anyone wants to monitor this vehicle. It is also for the benefit of the Police Cyber Crime Unit, who read this blog and complain if false names are disclosed.
A shaven headed cop turned up, grabbed four of our signs, and threw them in the boot of N71. He claimed that the signs were now police property because they were in contact with a police vehicle. One of the signs was – two others had blown to the ground and the cop pulled the fourth sign out of Dakta Green’s hand.
Today’s protest was for Dakta Blaze, arrested for shutting a door behind him when he went outside to talk to the cops, whilst the cops were performing an illegal search of The Daktory.
It could be a long while – his next court appearance is in February for a status hearing.
Once Blaze was finished in court, we set out to track down the brazen thief. All 8 of us went to Henderson police station to lodge a complaint.
The remarkably youthful looking acting desk sergeant told us we would have to complain to the Independent Police Conduct Authority. This was not good enough. The officer was shown images of the thief in the act of committing his crime. He refused to arrest the suspect.
While the acting sergeant continued stonewalling, a chubby cop came downstairs with the signs and handed them over. He didn’t offer an apology – just a stern warning not to let them touch police property again.
Safer communities together. Better work stories. Don’t forget to blow on the pie.
Dakta Green – Guest Speaker
October 8th, 2012
The Daktory
On Saturday Dakta Green was a guest speaker at the Libertarianz annual conference, along with party founder Lindsay Perigo and Auckland councillor Dick Quax. Introduced as “a man of conviction and a man with many convictions,” Dakta Green spoke about his journey from National Party member to law reformer, his prison experiences, and his determination to keep fighting on behalf of the cannabis community.
The Libertarianz believe all drugs should be legal, they support voluntary euthanasia, and they want to reduce the size and scope of government. They have been on the political fringe, but their ideas are spreading – as shown by the campaigns of Ron Paul and Gary Johnson in the USA.
Open Days still open
We had a few people drop by on Sunday and a few more came by trying to buy cannabis – sorry, everyone, the dispensary is closed.
We will be open on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons until further notice. Wednesdays from 7.30 to 10 pm, Sundays from noon to 6 pm. Come and talk to us – help us keep the Daktory alive.
Victories in Court
October 4th, 2012
The Daktory
Some good news from the legal sysem this week. Doug McLeod had a charge withdrawn – the charge of permitting premises to be used for consumption of cannabis. He was charged with this “crime” because he was staying at the Daktory one of the times when it was raided.
Eight people turned up at Waitakere Ditrict Court this wet and chilly morning to support Doug. We got plenty of toots and waves from passing traffic as hundreds of people saw our signs.
They told Doug to be at the court at 9 am, but it was early 10 am before the judge turned up. Why are judges alwys late? In most oher jobs you would get sacked if you were late all the time.
Fortunately, Doug’s case was the first one to be called. The police sought leave to withdraw the charge, and it was all over. A few people clapped, but not loud enough to upset the judge.
Doug stood in the dock, proudly wearing his Freedom is NORML T shirt, and asked for an apology from the prosecutor. The judge told him to take it up with his lawyer, and he was free to go.
We gathered outside the court for another show of signs and more photos – you’ll find some of them on Facebook. Doug called out “Cannabis for sale!” when a cop walked by.
Doug’s next appearance at Waitakere court will be on yet amother bullshit charge. He was arrested or sparking up a solar cone at a previous protest. This is a classic example of how the police try to bully the law reform movement into submission.
Dakta Gizi is back at the Daktory, now that her bail conditions have been changed, and she no longer has a curfew. So no more 5 am curfew checks by the filth – a favorite trick of theirs.
At Monday’s bail hearing, police opposed the changes. They even tried to get Dakta Green’s bail conditions altered, in spite of the fact that it was not his bail hearing. They claimed that “law breaking” is still going on at the Daktory. No comment.
Thanks to the people who replied with information about other court appearances. We don’t know about them unless somebody tells us, and we want to spread the word about any of our people being vicrtimized by the legal system – so keep the info coming.
Huge Crowds At Open Day
Just kidding, folks. It was a very quiet Sunday afternoon at the Daktory, but a few friends dropped by – and nothing bad happened. So we did it again Wednesday evening. Six people turned up this time – all wanting to buy weed. We hd to disappoint them – we can no longer offer that service, and we ask people not to smoke on the premises.
Everything else is still here at the Daktory – the pool table, table tennis, table soccer, darts, chess, snacks and drinks, and hard core Daktivists.
We’re having another open day this Sunday, noon to 6 pm. Come and talk to us about what you would like to see and do at the club. We are open to suggestions.
Become a member and help the Daktory survive. Membership is just $20 a month. If enough people join, we can afford to keep the club running – and get the Cannabus back on the road.
For anyone who would like to donate through automatic payment or online banking, the account number is:
38-9009-0070049-00
Last But Not Least
A big “Thank You” to everyone who has made a donation to the Daktory. Your support will help to make it possible to reopen and to continue the fight for our rights.
Does The Daktory Have A Future?
September 27th, 2012
The Daktory
Do you want to see the Daktory reopen? It can if enough people are willing to support it.
We are asking our friends and supporters to become members at the modest cost of $20 a month. This will help to cover the outgoings on the building and provide a token of support for the law reform movement – which is still alive despite the many attacks on it.
If you are interested, come along – the Daktory will have an open day this Sunday from noon to 6 pm and an open evening next Wednesday from 7.30-10 pm. Entry is free for both – with a donation bucket if you are feeling generous – and there will be drinks and snacks for sale. All the facilities are still there for members to enjoy – the pool table, table tennis, table soccer, darts and more.
On Sunday we will be screening The Union: The Business of Getting High at 3 pm – an interesting and informative documentary about the cannabis industry. On Wednesday evening there will be an information session about bitcoins.
This is your opportunity to help keep the Daktory alive and to tell us what you would like to see happening at the club. If you have any suggestions for events, activities and improvements, please let us know.
If the Daktory has to close, then all the effort that went into keeping it open for the last three years will have been for nothing – and the law reform movement will lose an outstanding icon and a valuable centre for activism.
The Daktory will have to operate on a different basis than it has in the past. There will no longer be a dispensary, and people will not be able to consume cannabis on the premises. This is due to Dakta Green’s bail conditions – one of the “crimes” he is charged with is allowing the Daktory to be used for consumption of cannabis. If he is found to be in breach of bail, he could be put in jail until his trial, which will not take place until next year.
Of course you can always have a session before you come to the Daktory or go outside for a smoke like people do with cigarettes. And for your own protection, pleaase do not bring any weed into the building – just in case we get a visit from the local chapter of the Government Gang.
A Fun Outing For the Boys
August 31st, 2012
The Daktory
August 30
Last Friday police came to search the Daktory again. There were just four this time instead of seven. It turns out this was a start of the holidays fun outing for the boys – New Lynn police station was closed for several days afterward. That’s right, folks – last weekend and early this week the war on crime was suspended in New Lynn – but not before a raid on the Daktory, as some light entertainment for Sergeant Winthrop and the lads.
They brought their sniffer dog again – the one that couldn’t get in on its last visit – and what do you know, it didn’t smell any cannabis. Who would have thought.
Dakta Green is trying to get his bail conditions changed so the cops can not turn up and search the Daktory any time they feel like it. This is a work in progress – next court hearing September 13.
Police Overkill – your tax dollars at work
August 29th, 2012
The Daktory
On August 17 police decided to raid the Daktory. Dakta Green’s bail conditions entitle them to search the premises at any time, so they turned up around 11 am.
The timing was not accidental. If they could arrest Dakta Green at that time, it would be too late for him to go to court that day. Justices of the Peace hold court hearings on Saturdays, but they would not have the authority to adjudicate on breach of bail. Therefore they could keep Dakta Green in jail over the weekend, to cause him the maximum possible distress and inconvenience. Because they can.
Dakta Green was at his doctors when the police visited. There were seven of them together with a drug sniffing dog. They arrived in four vehicles – for those readers who pay New Zealand tax, this is where your money goes.
A Daktory member was upstairs and heard the police banging on the door. He went downstairs to let them in and accidently allowed the inner security door to close behind him. As he did not know the security code, he was locked out – but so were the cops.
They milled around the foyer for a while – a couple of them even said it looked like a cool place. The raid was like a fun outing for them – an excuse to check out the famous Daktory.
The lockout was completely unplanned – it was like the cosmos decided to let us win one. Of course the police will be back. It will be interesting to learn how the drug dog copes – it will smell cannabis in the carpets, the couch cushions, the buses, everywhere…..and more tax dollars will be wasted.
Dakta Green has a long fight ahead of him. He will probably have to endure more police harassment. Any support that people can give will be greatly appreciated.
Know your rights
March 18th, 2012
Dakta Zippy
The best way to avoid arrest is to know your rights. Here is some basic legal advice.
If a police officer asks to search you for cannabis you should say: “I do not consent to a search”.
If they ask your name, date of birth or address you must tell them. If they ask anything else or they arrest you should say: “No Comment”.
If you go to court enter “No Plea” at every appearance. Seek free legal advice at www.bushlawyer.co.nz/wiki.
If your weed is well consealed and the smell is not apparent you should not be able to be searched by police, even if seen leaving the Daktory.
Political motivation tripled prison sentence
February 14th, 2012
Dakta Zippy
Dakta Green was the 2011 New Lynn candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP), a political party with the platform to bring about cannabis law reform in New Zealand.
With an eight months prison sentence, Dakta Green would have served his sentence and would have been released in time to stand in the November elections in New Zealand.
The solicitor general appealed Dakta Green’s original sentence on behalf of the prosecution and on September 30, 2011, his sentence was increased to 23 months.
For the Crown to extend Dakta Green’s prison sentence to almost triple time and in view of the fact that he was originally offered Home Detention, is truly an abuse of sentencing powers and is extraordinary in that it lends credence to the idea that such an almost tripling of his prison sentence was politically motivated in order to keep him from standing in the forthcoming November elections.
This extension of prison sentence to 23 months is politically motivated and is intended to stop Dakta Green from running in the November elections.
http://www.legaliseinternational.com/countries/NewZealand/daktagreen.html