JAIL AS PROTEST AGAINST LAW

A man who declined to pay fines for possessing cannabis is serving 14 days'
jail to show his total disagreement with the laws on cannabis.

Duncan Langley Eddy (25) said in the Dunedin District Court yesterday he was
prepared to go to prison.

"I see it as my social duty," he told Judge John Macdonald.

Eddy was before the court on review of a 45-hour term of community service
imposed on April 18 in place of fines and costs of $460 imposed last August
on two convictions for possessing cannabis.

At a defended hearing on August 24 he said he admitted the ingredients of
the charges but did not accept any guilt.

He told Judge Macdonald he found it "quite destructive" that he could be
suddenly made a criminal again. (Eddy had a relevant previous conviction in
1996.)

Yesterday, he told the judge, "the Government is now acknowledging my
argument. I think it sad that 25,000 people a year are convicted of cannabis
charges. My MP Pete Hodgson agrees with me the only way I could change the
law was to keep getting busted. I am prepared to go to prison".

Judge Macdonald offered Eddy the opportunity to complete the community
service or pay the fines.

"If you are not prepared to do that, there is no option but to send you to
prison," he said.

Eddy declined and was sentenced to 14 days' jail.