FIVE ARRESTED IN DARWIN MARIJUANA RALLY

Five marijuana enthusiasts were arrested during protest action this weekend
but not for smoking what was touted as Australia's biggest joint.

Network Against Prohibition (NAP) spokesman Gary Myerhoff was the first to
be arrested in chaotic scenes in Darwin's Raintree Park.

More than 100 people were gathered in the park to protest against the
proposed toughening of Northern Territory drug laws and to listen to reggae
music.

One man was arrested after puffing from a 90cm cigarette called the
community joint, which was rolled with butchers' paper.

He will be charged with possession of cannabis, but the offence is
unrelated to the community joint.

"It potentially isn't cannabis," said Police Superintendent Greg Dowd when
asked why police had not seized the joint.

NAP spokesman Scott White confirmed the community joint had been rolled
with tobacco and legal herbs.

"We didn't want to come in with half a kilo of marijuana; it was a symbol,"
Mr White said.

While the community joint was symbolic, many demonstrators appeared to be
passing around marijuana joints despite a heavy police presence.

Supt Dowd said Mr Myerhoff would be charged with failing to obey a
direction to leave the park.

Another three people were arrested in the melee as more than a dozen
uniform police and detectives wrestled Mr Myerhoff into a police van.

Supt Dowd said a quantity of leafy material which police suspected was
cannabis had been seized before any arrests had been made.

"There may be resist arrests (charges laid), disorderly behaviour and
potentially some assault charges as well," he said.

"There may well be some drug-related charges."

Mr White said the arrests were made to prevent criticism of the government.

NAP wants the government to accept marijuana as an integral part of the
territory's lifestyle.

The government will introduce legislation next month that will increase
police powers to act against householders who are suspected of dealing in
drugs.