Daktory to increase efforts for law change
The removal of a vending machine from the Daktory has not dampened enthusiasm for cannabis law reform.
At 6.15pm on March 22 seven police officers came to the Daktory. The officers were invited into the building but soon after invoked powers of warrentless search under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975). They searched club members and four activists were arrested.
Three males and a female were placed in a police vehicle, for up to two hours before being taken to Henderson police station. The four accused were detained until 2.30am at which time they were bailed with charges ranging from possession of cannabis, possession for supply, permits premises to be used, and possession of drug related utensils.
The Daktory remains open for cannabis activists but is no longer providing a vending machine service. The Daktory is still committed to cannabis law reform and will be increasing pressure on MPs to change the law.
Two select committee inquiries and a law commission report have all recommended relaxing the cannabis laws. However, Parliament has failed to implement these recommendations, leading the Daktory and other activist to resort to civil disobedience.
“This raid was a huge waste of taxpayer’s dollars. The Police should have been using this time to deal with threats to the community,” one of the accused, Dakta Blaze said, “People from all over our community come to The Daktory as a safe haven from the black-market, created by prohibition. The Daktory simply makes our community a safer place.”
The raid has only encouraged the Daktory to become more vocal in the fight for legalisation. A protest is planned for March 28 at the Waitakere District Court, 9 am, when the four will make their first appearance.
Bow-yeah! The only way to sort out the abysmal laws regarding cannabis use is to flaunt your stuff and unfortunately risk criminal liability.
So do what you must,brave troopers of freedom.
Respect due to those that respect.
Dear Mr Policeman,
Just wanted to check up on something…
Have you found my stolen car yet? And my stolen laptop and wallet?
Also, how are you getting along with the little old lady down the road who feels intimidated by the gang outside her bedroom window at night selling P, with the shouting and screaming and fights – how’s that going?
I’m also curious how the nice man who live across from me is getting on? He was beaten black and blue by the crazy man down the street that was reported that you did nothing about…
Finally, I’m so glad that you’ve busted The Daktory… it’s such a worthwhile use of police time and tax payers money…
Such a shame…when will the world wake up and realise that smoking a joint really isn’t really that bad?
I’m not a criminal…I work hard, I pay my taxes so let me get on with my life…
Peace and love.
D
makes me more angry about the law thats about it go stop some harmful crime that is hurting people!
the Police Commissioner says:
“We need better stats! Key and Co. are cutting our funding to shreds! I need quick, easy, cheap numbers now!”
Joe Bloggs thicko Lieutenant says:
“OK Boss! I know this place, it’s in the news frequently and the other day Michael Fox at ‘Auckland Now’ ‘revealed’ a months old repost of a repost off Tripme, We’d better act now!!!!!! This will make us look proper White Knighty!”
Try not to breed too much public contempt in your day to day activities Mr Plod, WE PAY YOUR WAGES.
I for one think the Police are overfunded and corrupt. You have taught me to think this way, and I will gladly support any innitiative to cut your funding.
I wanted to be a Policeman once upon a time…
I was there on the 22nd when the police raided the place. Totally unnecessary. We were just doing our own thing, having a good time with good vibes all over the place(people that smoke would understand ;-P) when the police came in and started killing everything. And I thought the system was here for us, here to protect and serve us. How can you tell me that cannabis was made illegal for mankind’s good, when there’s other LEGAL substances that cause so much more harm to our society. Ridiculous.
Oh the things I would do to work with/for the Daktory, are you guys hiring?! ;P haha it would be a DREAM! Peace & love guys.
I don’t understand why …..!!!!! Alcohol causes more damage to the community than our puff …. !!!!
Oh I forget the alcohol lobby is stronger than us !?!?
Good on you for fighting the good fight!
The War On Drugs is a War on Cannabis.
No Victim No Crime!
There’s scientific evidence that suggests cannabis is safer than Alcohol and Tobacco.
The ONLY harm prohibition causes is the CRIMINAL CONVICTION you get for getting caught.
It is cheaper and more effective to treat drug abuse as a health issue than it is to treat it as a criminal issue.
The Government is supposed to be by the people for the people.
How is the Government by the people for the people if they ignore science and evidence? and the same can be asked about the Law Commissions Recommendations on the Misuse of Drugs Act that they reviewed in 2010? The Government again ignores this, does what it wants anyways. Whats the point in Science and Evidence, and Law Commissions Recommendations on the Misuse of Drugs Act that they reviewed in 2010 that cost a lot of tax payers money to fund the report, if the Government is just going to ignore it anyways?? This doesn’t sound like Democracy to me! More like a Capitalist Government that protects its own interests, for example to Alcohol Companies, Big Pharmaceutical Corporations, and its own beliefs and morals. Being gay isn’t wrong, its individual choice, its freedom of choice; just like it is freedom of choice if you choose to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, but when it comes to the lesser of the evils, cannabis is illegal. IT MAKES NO SENSE! Society needs to accept that Cannabis will never be eradicated, Its time New Zealand stands up and says there is a better way than what we are currently doing now. ENDS. DS 2012
Makes me wonder whether the Police’s strong anti-Cannabis message is really more about their own job protection, rather than “preventing harm to society” as their mantra states ?!
The WAR ON DRUGS is really a war against those in society who believe in ‘Freedom of choice’ NOT ‘freedom FROM choice’ as we currently have. How is busting ADULTS who choose Cannabis over Alcohol &/or Tobacco preventing harm ? Alcohol & Tobacco are responsible for the majority of ‘Drug-related harm & deaths’ NOT CANNABIS.. “wake-up people & smell the herbs”
Kia-ora
yo dakta blaze haha getting baked with him in new plymouth