The Prism of Activism

[Smokin Moose]

This article by me appeared in Treating Yourself Magazine #13. It is my overview of my recent visit to Nimbin and being a cannabis activist in Australia.

I hope you enjoy this.

 

The Prism of Activism

 

My name is Mark, and I am a cannabis activist living in Canberra, Australia. I am but one of many good folk in my homeland who have taken up the struggle to bring cannabis and hemp awareness to the World, and put an end to prohibition.

 

Being a cannabis activist in Australia is an onerous task. It requires dedication, commitment and courage. The laws in Australia are still somewhat draconian, and the Federal Government still maintains a zero tolerance towards cannabis, be it recreational use or medicinal application in clinical situations. It can be a risky business, but success is often measured by what you have to give up in achieving it. This can sometimes mean the loss of personal freedoms.

 

Earlier this year I made a decision to travel to Nimbin, to attend the Australian Cannabis Cup, as well as be part of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier cannabis celebration, Mardi Grass. I had spoken with Michael Balderstone, President of the Hemp Embassy and the un-official Mayor of Nimbin. I was to be allowed unprecedented access to the Nimbin Hemp Embassy and the “Bunker” to observe and report on events during Mardi Grass.

 

Mardi Grass is a legendary cannabis festival that has been defying drug war politics for nearly 20 years. In years past, pot heroes like Dennis Peron and Ed Rosenthal have travelled down under to experience some of Australia’s best hospitality and marijuana.

 

Nimbin provides a unique insight into the bohemian and alternative lifestyle cultures that have been evident since the 1970’s, as well as the ‘Aquarius music festival’, which launched the Aussie hippy culture in 1973. Nimbin remains locked in the past as a ‘crib’ for eccentric hippies, writers, artists, and environmentalists.

Rainbow Country

Nimbin is a small village in the Northern Rivers area of the State of New South Wales, about 70km west of Byron Bay. It sits in a verdant valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense sub-tropical vegetation. The area abounds in kangaroos, koalas, multi-coloured parrots, wombats, and platypus in the many creeks in the region.

 

Before European settlement the area was inhabited by the Bundjalong, Nimbinjee and Whiyabul Aborigines. It still maintains a strong indigenous presence, and indigenous culture is embraced alongside that of the hippy culture.

 

Public Order and Riot Squad

 

Despite an abundance of colour in Nimbin, it became evident as I prepared for my journey that a single colour was being seen to dominate – that colour being the blue uniforms of the constabulary of New South Wales Police Force.

 

It was an omen of troubles on the horizon, when I turned on the radio on the morning of 1 April, 2008. A major police intervention had begun in Nimbin, and various media organisations were running the news as a lead story. The Public Order and Riot Squad had come to town. Nimbin had been busted, and it was no April Fools’ joke. This was serious business and people were being arrested and imprisoned for various cannabis offences. The New South Wales Government was making a statement.

 

Michael Balderstone had been sitting in the sun in the back yard of the Hemp Embassy, enjoying his first joint of the day. There was the sound of commotion coming from the street. “I thought it was the musicians arriving for our “Fossil Fools’ Day Event”, but then the back door slid open and police poured out in riot gear screaming like on American TV – ‘NOBODY MOVE – THIS IS A CRIME SCENE’ etc, etc”

 

Operation “Mickey” had commenced!

 

Police stood guard outside the Embassy while the building and people inside were searched for drugs. Police sniffer dogs were also brought in as part of the execution of the Search Warrant.

 

The mid-morning raids included not only the Hemp Embassy, but also the Hemp Museum and Hemp Bar in the main street. A large convoy of cars, including an RBT Bus, had ferried up to 70 police, including the Riot Squad from Sydney. Eight people were arrested and charged with various cannabis offences, and police seized four kilograms of cannabis, cash, cannabis cookies, suppositories and more than 200 water pipes.

 

Richmond Local Area Commander, Superintendent Lyons was making a strong statement that police would be intent on disrupting proceedings up to and including Mardi Grass.

 

Superintendant Lyons said Operation Mickey was a testament to the NSW Police Force’s tough stance on all drugs and he wanted to send out a “clear message” about it, “Illegal drugs continue to be a blight on our society and the supply of these drugs in the Nimbin area is an issue repeatedly raised by the local community,” Supt Lyons said. “The people of Nimbin do not want any illicit drugs in their town – notwithstanding the fact that the production, possession and supply of these drugs are crimes.”

 

As I sat and pondered the impact this would have on my pending trip to Nimbin, I decided the only thing I really needed to do was make sure I had bail money! I figured Kismet would look after all other eventualities.

 

Four weeks later I set off to Nimbin, driving through the night and arriving on the Thursday before Mardi Grass kicked off on 3 May. I was bristling with excitement, and my bail money sat in my wallet should it be required. I was a true cannabis warrior going off to do battle in the insidious war on drugs.

 

Nimbin Hemp Embassy - Inside the “Bunker”

 

Friday morning saw me making my way down Cullen Street towards the Nimbin Hemp Embassy to catch up with Michael Balderstone. There was a very visible presence of police, and I could sense an air of anger and trepidation at this heavy handed presence. Locals were wary of newcomers, but it was quite clear that a lot of marijuana was about as the air was heavy with the aromas of fine cannabis smoke.

 

The Hemp Embassy sits on Nimbin’s main street, and is a large building with a retail store selling an array of hemp products, bongs, pipes, magazines and all things cannabis-related. The Embassy also functions as a publicity bureau, political action centre, and focal point for locals and visitors attending Mardi Grass and Law Reform rallies.

 

Underneath the Hemp Embassy is the office of the Mardi Grass organising committee and local Hemp Party. This area is known affectionately as the “Bunker” and was to be my home for the next few days.

 

The Bunker is in every aspect a “War Room” – as you go in you see 2 banks of computers, several telephones, walkie-talkies, megaphones, 2-way-radios, and police scanners. It has a kitchen and an attached bedroom for staff to rest, and a large library of cannabis and hemp books and magazines. It functions 24 hours a day leading up to and during Mardi Grass.

 

As I walked in I was greeted immediately by Lucy Charlesworth, an exceedingly intelligent and articulate woman who has been a cannabis activist for 30 years, who’s electronic Cannazine “Weed Witches” keeps the torch of freedom burning. It was Lucy who was to introduce me to Michael Balderstone and others I had planned on catching up with.

 

It was shortly after meeting Lucy that Michael Balderstone arrived at the Hemp Embassy, a large group of volunteers in tow. He seemed to me to be the quintessential hippy, with his plaited pony tail, long beard and “Free Tibet” T-shirt on. When Lucy Charlesworth introduced me to Michael, I immediately felt that I was at the centre of Michael’s universe – a strange sensation to have, but his charisma is captivating.

 

Michael Balderstone is a quietly spoken, humble man, but he has the gift of command, and a sense of presence to unite people in large numbers to bring about change. Michael is the main voice of activism in Australia, and from the Bunker he and his loyal team take on the mission of spreading cannabis awareness in Australia. It was not long before I saw his talents in action.

 

Hemp Bar Doors Removed in Protest

 

At 9.30am on Friday, NSW Police successfully applied for a court order to have the Nimbin Hemp Museum and Hemp Bar closed for 72 hours. Police alleged that the crowds during Mardi Grass, a festival celebrating cannabis, would increase the chance of drug dealing and use from the premises!

 

The Museum proprietor was served with the court order immediately after the hearing. But after hearing the news, people removed the Museum’s doors. “Everyone had hid the doors so I couldn’t close it” said Michael Balderstone. “Anyway, the police gave me a bit of a time and we eventually found the doors hidden and put them back on,” he said. “There’s 20 keys to the building around town so I don’t know if it will stay closed.”

 

Little did the police know but it was Michael who had engineered this dramatic act of defiance to thwart the police in their attempt to close the Museum. It was a classic piece of strategy in this local war on drugs, and one that gained international media attention. It is deeds such as this that make Michael Balderstone such an effective cannabis activist.

 

Mardi Grass, Ganja Faeries, and the Goddess of Hemp

Friday night in Nimbin saw the sun go down and the crowds gather in Peace Park for the Ceremonial Burning to herald in Mardi Grass. Local indigenous people lit the sacred fire and blessed the festivities with the “sacred smoke.” This important local rite was a significant and a visible reminder that Mardi Grass and the indigenous people of the region were as one. It was a very spiritual moment for me as I watched on. I truly felt the love in my heart, and saw it as a good sign after the dramas earlier in the day.

 

Once the sacred smoke had been removed from Peace Park, the wondrous site of a young, beautiful woman draped in a white toga appeared out of the dark. She was carrying a set of flaming scales and a blazing sword held high in the night sky. She was the Hemp Goddess, and the flame she was carrying was the Eternal Flame, in honour of the brave souls who were victims of the war on drugs. It was a moment of enchantment, and the significance of the symbolism was not lost on the hundreds of young people who had come from all parts of the globe to observe the official opening of Mardi Grass. It was perhaps the most special thing I have seen in 30 years of cannabis activism. It quite literally brought tears to me eyes.

 

Saturday morning back at the Embassy saw me sipping on coffee and smoking some of the samples I had been given from entries in the Cannabis Cup. I was pretty toasted and thought I was seeing things when a gorgeous young girl came into the room, dressed in green and looking like a character out of the Peter Pan movie. It was my first experience with a Ganja Faerie.

 

Michael Balderstone told me the Ganja Faeries had been a part of Mardi Grass since day 1, almost 20 years ago. Michael said the Ganja Faeries are the light spirit of the herb, the essential humour of indulging in it, the cheeky and naughty side, if you like. They’re the ones who tickle your funny bone and make you laugh, and dance with you awhile along your way in life, then appear again in your dreams. They share a collective wisdom of living with cannabis. They help you to remember that the herb is healing in many wonderful ways and that the drug laws are stupid.

 

Ganja Faeries are an integral part of Mardi Grass and make up a large component of the Mardi Grass parade. Following closely behind the indigenous people who head up the parade, they are a crowd favourite, and certainly one of mine.

 

At 1pm on Saturday, the parade started to form up outside Nimbin Police Station. Apart from the indigenous people and Ganja Faeries, there were literally hundreds of participants decked out in all manner of costume, all contributing to the message of cannabis and an end to prohibition. There were the ganja grannies, various floats, and of course the inflatable 100 foot joint that had been part of Mardi Grass for many years.

 

It was significant the parade formed up outside the police station. It was a clear statement to the Government that it was time to celebrate, and that no matter what, Mardi Grass was here to stay! After the events of the last month, it was quite clear there was a lot of emotion involved in this act of defiance.

 

The police were taking a somewhat quiet role, but they were taking no chances so the Mounted Police and a solid wall of police officers barricaded the entrance to the police station. It was quite comical in a way as the Local Police Commander stood at the back looking like Chicken Little, thinking the sky was falling.

 

Once the parade was formed up, the procession headed down Cullen Street, through a large crowd of onlookers estimated at close to 20,000. All up it took nearly an hour to pass through to the local sports oval, where a rally was to be held to celebrate cannabis, and to sound the commencement of the Law Reform Rally.

 

Back in the Embassy, I sat and reflected on what I had just seen. It struck me that something quite wonderful had just occurred. This sleepy little town in the hinterland of Lismore, had just attracted the largest crowd to a cannabis festival in the southern hemisphere. There were some 60 different nationalities registered at the Embassy, and not one issue had arisen to mar the event. Despite the best efforts of the police, a loud and clear message had been sent to the world that Australia was on the map as far as global cannabis awareness was concerned.

 

Ghosting the Message

 

As I drove out of Nimbin, I stopped at the local creek just outside of town and rolled up a joint. I wanted to take in my last moments in Nimbin and savour the memories of the last few days. As I watched a platypus ducking and diving, and frogs hopping to escape, a wedge-tailed eagle soared over head. I felt they were putting on a display just for me, and perhaps they were – a gift to me from the Ganja Faeries.

 

I had made many friends in Nimbin, and my task of writing articles on Mardi Grass was complete. I felt content in the knowledge that I had been a part of something very special; something that would stay with me forever.

 

Climbing back into my car, I took a large toke on the fresh air in Nimbin, deeply inhaling all the wonderful things I would be leaving behind. All the friends, the dreams, the passion, I held inside, and I simply “ghosted” the toke and drove away.

 

15 km from Nimbin, I had a last reminder of what I had been in Nimbin for. I had just come on a Random Breath Testing bus. A cannabis warrior to the last!

 

A free copy of TY #13, and ALL earlier issues can be downloaded for free here: http://www.treatingyourself.com/dhtml/issues.php

 

The images I have attached appeared with my article in TY #13.