POT CLUB'S BIRTHDAY

NEW Zealand's first cannabis connoisseurs' club will celebrate its
second birthday next month as several other "pot" clubs look set to
open across the country.

Since opening in November 2008, the Daktory in West Auckland's New
Lynn has gained more than 2000 fee-paying members who have got
together to spark up within the Daktory's expansive kitted-out
warehouse space.

"I think it's achieved everything we've set out to achieve, ranging
from drawing attention to the plight of the people within the cannabis
culture, creating a rallying point for people who want to change this
evil law and a cool place to hang out," said Daktory founder, Dakta
Green.

It has come at a personal cost to Green, however.

The Daktory was raided by police in January following a Sunday News
story on expansion plans, and Green was charged with four
cannabis-related charges, including cultivation and possession for
supply.

The matter is to go to trial next month.

Cannabis smokers in both Invercargill and the Hawke's Bay are
finalising Daktory venues and New Plymouth has an informal club
underway, Green said.

The 59-year-old has been completing an Armistice Tour of the country
gaining signatures calling for marijuana law changes.

As of Wednesday, he had about 3000 signatures.

Green plans to present the agreement along with an "excess of several
thousand" supporters to Parliament on November 11.