Hundreds of cannabis supporters attend picnic rally to call for further legislative change.
Flagstaff Gardens was awash with marijuana enthusiasts on Saturday afternoon, as hundreds of cannabis users flocked to celebrate “420” day.
The annual April 20 event, unofficially known as “weed day” or “420 Day,” is celebrated worldwide and is day of revelry and advocacy for the legalisation of marijuana.
Bearing the slogan “Who are we hurting?,” the rally attracted several state MPs including multiple members of the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party.
Animal justice party MP Georgie Purcell, and Libertarian party member David Limbrick attended the rally, seen conversing and mingling with fellow attendees.
South East Metro MP Rachel Payne also expressed her support for the legalisation of cannabis, calling for an “end to the prohibition”.
As the clock struck 4.20pm attendees let out a chorus of applause, chanting “happy 420 day.”
A spokesperson for Victoria police said although they “respect the right for lawful and peaceful protests” they “will not tolerate any criminal activity.”
“It is our role to enforce the law. As such, anyone found trafficking illicit substances can expect to be arrested and charged. Those found using or possessing drugs can also expect to attract the attention of police, with appropriate action to be taken.”
The rally in the city’s CBD aims to raise awareness for the legalisation of cannabis, and occurs annually on April 20 or 4/20. Recreational use of which is banned in all Australian states.
About 250 people attended the event, Western Metro Region MP David Ettershank and South-East Metro MP Rachel Payne hosted the rally.
In a post to her Instagram on Saturday, Ms Payne called for an “end to the prohibition” adjoined with a picture of what appeared to be a lit cigarette.
Both MPs appeared at an earlier event on Friday outside of state parliament run by the artist collective, The Craze Co.
Posts by the group show the pair in front of what appeared to be caged plants with signs reading “The war on weed, a royal failure indeed”,
Only about 1.7 per cent of Australians residing in the ACT have access to decriminalised, recreational cannabis, according to advocates.
Recreational cannabis is otherwise illegal in every Australian state, though NSW is set to launch a probe into its prohibition.
A number of countries have legalised marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, including Canada, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
David Ettershank said “It’s a little known fact that Queen Victoria, who the state of Victoria is named after, took cannabis to manage her pain. If she lived here today, she would be arrested. That’s the point we were trying to make.”
“Around 9,000 Victorians are charged with offences relating to cannabis, and 92% of those relate to possession of small quantities.”
“The use of cannabis should not be the crime, it’s the victimisation, stigmatisation and criminalisation that is the crime, and it needs to change.”
“We call upon the government to show some courage, to show some insight, and make the changes that are necessary.”
Heavy police presence at 4/20 event ‘a staggering waste of money’, as Legalise Cannabis MPs threaten to withdraw support for Labor – Cannabiz
Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs have threatened to withdraw their support for the Labor Government on key policy issues after another heavy police presence and dozens of arrests at a 4/20 event in Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens.
David Ettershank and Rachel Payne, whose votes are crucial in helping bills or motions across the line for Jacinta Allan’s ruling party, said the decision to employ a major police presence at the event “crossed a rubicon”.
“The relationship between Legalise Cannabis and the government is reaching an all-time low. We are taking very personally the arrest of our people which is totally at odds with the supposed cannabis-friendly veneer that the government projects.” David told Cannabiz
Thanks to Red Sky Apparel & Australian Vaporizers
