Nimbin Mardigrass Slammed

[Oz]

POLITICIANS and anti-drug campaigners have labelled an annual festival in northern NSW promoting the use of cannabis as both dangerous and irresponsible.

 

Nimbin's MardiGrass and Cannabis Law Reform Weekend, which will be held for the 12th time on May 1-2, has grown into an international event attracting thousands of visitors.

 

But local federal National Party MP Ian Causley said the event was "totally irresponsible".

 

"This is a celebration of drugs and I don't approve of that," he said.

 

"Many of the arguments that are being put forward by this group for the legalisation of marijuana are being refuted in most of the medical reports."

 

Mr Causley said the police had a difficult job dealing with the drug culture in Nimbin which he described as a "sad place".

 

"You go out there and you see the drugs being pedalled," he said.

 

"I've been approached myself in the street and I'm the local member."

 

The MardiGrass features the Hemp Olympix with events such as joint rolling, bong throwing and growers' iron person Events.

 

Other events include book launches, film premieres, concerts, exhibitions, performances, the inaugural Marijuana Music Awards, pot poetry and pot art, the Cannabis Cup, Harvest Festival Ball and markets.

 

There will also be a protest march and a Rally for Cannabis Law Reform.

 

Queensland Drug and Alcohol Foundation chief executive Bob Aldred said it was irresponsible for the event to flaunt the law.

 

"We certainly wouldn't support the Hemp Mardigrass ... because this is an illegal drug," he said.

 

"Although it has many beneficial usages to use it from a black market source is just plain dangerous.

 

"I believe cannabis is certainly linked ... to mental illness particularly schizophrenia and other psychoses."

 

The Mardigrass will feature a Pot Psychosium which will tackle cannabis and mental health issues.

 

Organisers have invited doctors, health professionals, concerned parents and young cannabis users.

 

"Cannabis psychosis is the big stick used by prohibitionists these days and we hope to explore whether it's made of hardwood or hollow", Nimbin HEMP Embassy spokesman Michael Balderstone said.

 

"We hope to identify what is really going on from the experts in the field and gain some sort of consensus on what can be done to minimise harm, under the current constraints of prohibition."

 

By Chris Herde

Source: The Australian

[Guest]

Some free extra publicity. Great.

[F420]

Hmm I wonder what happened to WC ideas on Nimbin being safe .

 

 

"Although it has many beneficial usages- Hey at least they are admitting this much.

 

 

There will also be a protest march and a Rally for Cannabis Law Reform-

 

umm isnt this the whole idea behind the mardigrass??

 

 

I believe cannabis is certainly linked ... to mental illness particularly schizophrenia and other psychoses.-

 

That has never been proven, a person cannot get scitzo or psyco unless this is already their personality, MJ just makes a persons character become more evident doesnt it?

Edited April 27, 2004 by Ferenge420

[Brash]

Irresponsible or just BRASH

[Guest niall]

I believe cannabis is certainly linked ... to mental illness particularly schizophrenia and other psychoses.-

 

That has never been proven, a person cannot get scitzo or psyco unless this is already their personality, MJ just makes a persons character become more evident doesnt it?

They're definitly "linked", but no-one has proven a causal relationship and the evidence simply points to it being a contributing factor or a trigger for those who are predisposed or undiagnosed.

 

Cannabis use is significantly higher than it was 10-20 years ago, it's been steadily growing in popularity to record levels, and yet the level of incidence of schizophrenia and other "linked" mental illnesses has not increased.

 

"Cannabis psychosis" seems to be something entirely different, a very short-term and temporary kind of dysphoria resulting from chronic, daily use. Stop using and it disappears rapidly, within days usually, so this is most probably a result from constant, heavy use. Just use responsibly, take a break now and then to clear out your system, see your Doctor if pain persists...

 

i.e. cannabis does not CAUSE mental illness at all, it may only exacerbate it. Now while it's obviously not a good thing to experience, and we don't want people to go through this kind of hell, this only applies to a very small percentage of the population. It's no excuse for the rest of us not to enjoy this sacred plant, it's just commonsense and will become a guideline on responsible use just like not drinking and driving, sticking to one drink an hour etc. has become more widely known and followed.

[Guest Babybear]

Man i jsut read this in the local papper , i was about to try an scan it in an put it up here, but to see that its allreay here tis all good

I WAS goin to go but very doubt it now , but man that all everyone needs, attion on the media on the negitive side of things at the matri grass, Do the put in there its also a place of many dif cultures an one thing in comman that makes everyone friendly an ppl from across OZ an the world that go there to have Peacefull celebrations , ISnt marti gra (gay thing) in way promotion gay couples an im sure drygs would be a huge part of it tp , Anyways just my unstoned 2 cents worth

 

I just hope this hasnt mucked up stuff for ppl that are goin..

[pixel]

yep niall if you actually try to find evidence of a link between weed and crazy, there's relatively little, and what there is, is weak.

[Guest]

There might be a lot more sniffer dogs this year. Apparently the cops used them in a previous Mardis Grass to check cars leaving the place. Might have been 2003. Anyone know anything about that? Bad press like this often precedes police action. If that eventuates it could lead to a riot. The police would be fucked if thousands of angry festival visitors did a Redfern on them. I reckon the pigs will probably just sit on the outskirts of town catching people leaving if they do try any kind of blitz at all. No way would they go into the main street looking for trouble. Too many people. They'd have to bring in half the cops in NSW. Hopefully it will all go smoothly this year like it does most years but just in case, throw some pepper all over the floor of your car.

 

[Chev]

Hopefully it will all go smoothly this year like it does most years but just in case, throw some pepper all over the floor of your car.

Good tip chong!

[Guest Babybear]

Coffee beans or granualls been a fine thing for masin , i only know as of hear say No idea if it really would work