Pot-smokers refuse to openly light up in front of police at pro-cannabis rally

About a dozen police officers supervised the organised ‘420 Pot Picnic’. PARANOID pot-smokers have refused to openly light up in front of police officers who kept an eye on protesters at a pro-cannabis rally. About a dozen police officers supervised the organised ‘420 Pot Picnic’ event at Flagstaff Gardens, in Melbourne’s CBD which started at 2pm this afternoon.

Similar events in the past had drawn in crowds of up to 500 people.

Event organiser and cannabis enthusiast Matt Riley said news of police presence circulated among the group who then initiated a smoke-free policy for the event. Similar events in the past had drawn in crowds of up to 500 people. But potential police arrests and the no-marijuana policy kept most protesters away, a disappointed Mr Riley said. “Our aim for the day is no arrests,” he said. “So far there have been no arrests and no cautions and hopefully we stay that way. “I had spoken to police earlier this week who said there would be no (sniffer) dogs or anything like that.” Mr Riley said he was unsure about whether future events would be smoke-free since police started threatening arrests. He said they were considering an event for April 20, or a protest on the steps of Parliament House. The Herald Sun previously revealed police had been turning a blind eye to pot-smokers at these events. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/potsmokers-refuse-to-openly-light-up-in-front-of-police-at-procannabis-rally/news-story/ef60771b6172b3795cf3eaaaad65f9b2