FACEBOOK STREET PROTEST OVER RAGGAMUFFIN DOPE ARREST

A noisy street demonstration organised through Facebook has been held
to protest against the Rotorua court appearance of a man caught with
cannabis at this year's Raggamuffin festival.

Te Puke kiwifruit worker Douglas John McLeod, 42, was yesterday
convicted and fined $150 in the Rotorua District Court for possessing
cannabis, cannabis hash blocks and drug utensils including a pipe and
a magnifying glass he used to light it.

The charges relate to McLeod's being caught with the drugs and
paraphernalia at the Raggamuffin festival at Rotorua International
Stadium on February 5.

He defended the charges at a court hearing before Judge Edward Blaikie
yesterday and was found guilty.

McLeod was supported by about 20 people, most of whom were members of
the group Norml (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws).

Supporters travelled from Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Waihi to
protest outside the courthouse after a page called Court Support for
Doug McLeod was set up on the social networking website Facebook.

The protesters waved signs with slogans including "Cannabis cures
cancer", "Prohibition is dead", "Legalise Cannabis Now", "Free Doug
McLeod" and "Cannabis is a health issue.

It is not a crime".

Before the hearing, supporter Gary Chiles told The Daily Post they
were supporting McLeod because he was being "singled out" for "using a
magnifying glass to light his cannabis hash pipe".

Before McLeod's case was called Judge Blaikie ordered McLeod and
police officers to tell his supporters to move from outside the court
as they were making too much noise. Cars drove past the group tooting
their horns and a bus repeatedly circled the courthouse while a woman
used a loud hailer to promote the decriminalisation of cannabis.

At the hearing, former Rotorua police officer Detective Sergeant Ryan
Yardley said he saw McLeod with a large magnifying glass and a glass
pipe in the other hand. He also had a two small cannabis hash blocks
and a joint.

Detective Mahara Alcock said Mr Yardley showed her what had been found
and she spoke to McLeod and gave him his rights.

McLeod was arrested and taken to a police vehicle.

While being cross-examined by McLeod's lawyer, Nicky Scott, Mrs Alcock
and Mr Yardley both said they didn't arrest or warn anyone else for
having drugs nor did they see anyone with drugs in the grounds.

Dakta Green, who gave evidence for the defence, told the court he had
led a hikoi on to the grounds of Parliament where he and McLeod had
smoked cannabis and had not been arrested.

Mr Green said they were given permission by the Speaker of the House
to smoke cannabis on the grounds during the protest.

McLeod gave evidence and admitted possession of the cannabis, hash
blocks and drug paraphernalia.

After finding McLeod guilty Judge Blaikie said Mr Green's evidence
that the Speaker of the House had permitted people to smoke cannabis
on Parliament grounds was extraordinary and irrelevant to the court
case.

Judge Blaikie said he was concerned cannabis was being used at a
concert where young people and families attended.

Outside court, McLeod told The Daily Post he had hoped the charges
would have been dismissed but said the judge had to follow the law.

"This will not deter us in our attempts to change the law for the
better of humanity."