Protest backs cannabis user
JOHN BISSET/ The Timaru HeraldSUPPORT: Medical cannabis grower Peter Davy, who faces jail on cannabis charges, and his partner Tracey Perrin are greeted by supporters when they arrive at the Timaru District Court.
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Supporters of a Timaru man facing jail over cannabis charges have staged a peaceful protest for him outside the Timaru Courthouse.
Peter John Frances Davy, 51, is threatening to go on a hunger strike if he is jailed for possession of cannabis, cultivating cannabis, importing cannabis seed and unlicensed possession of a rifle.
Dakta Green, who founded The Daktory, which promotes the medical use of cannabis, said NORML (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Law) supporters left Auckland last Friday and arrived in Timaru to stage a peaceful overnight protest outside the Timaru Courthouse.
Supporters had come from as far afield as Auckland, Waihi, Wellington and Dunedin.
"When we heard of Pete's plight, it wasn't too hard to say `let's go down and support him'," Mr Green said.
"We find it obnoxious and obscene for a medical user of cannabis to be treated as a criminal."
Davy admitted the charges in February and was due to be sentenced yesterday in Timaru District Court but the case was adjourned to April 20 so that his newly appointed counsel could receive disclosure.
Davy, who has cancer, said the cannabis was for medicinal purposes. He also said he was the 24-hour carer for his partner who had advanced multiple sclerosis.
"She is dying and will die without me."
In a protest against "the persecution of New Zealand's medical cannabis users", Davy told The Herald he would go on a hunger strike and would not take his cancer medicines.
Mr Green said the group hoped a judge would see reason and not incarcerate Davy.
About 15 people camped outside the courthouse on Tuesday night. The group, which grew during the day yesterday, held up placards, blew bubbles and trumpets, and elicited toots from motorists until about 2pm.
- The Timaru Herald
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Protest backs cannabis user - sentence adjourned till April 20th | Stuff.co.nz
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