POT SMOKERS HOLD PEACEFUL PROTEST

Organiser of the pro-marijuana J-Day rally in Auckland's Albert Park say
about one thousand people turned out for the event.

Pro-marijuana rallies were held in the four main centres from midday until
six o'clock in the evening on Saturday.

National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
spokesperson, Chris Fowlie, said some people may have smoked marijuana at
the Auckland event.

However Police kept a low-key presence at the event and only made one
arrest, but also confiscated a pipe allegedly used for smoking marijuana.

The atmosphere was described as peaceful, and very relaxed.

Green MP, Nandor Tanczos, was among the speakers at the event, which also
featured entertainment and a petition calling for the decriminalisation of
marijuana.