From: Blair Anderson
Organization: Techno Junk and Grey Matter & Mild Green Initiative mildgreens.com

MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE USE

May 5, 2002


500 people smoke cannabis in Cathedral Square for International J Day, May 4, 2002.

Under beautiful sunny skies, over 500 people turned up in the Cathedral Square on Saturday afternoon to celebrate
International J Day, 2002.

International J Day, celebrated in over 190 cities worldwide, is a celebration of the cannabis plant as a recreational drug,
non-toxic medicine for a variety of conditions, and - in the form of hemp - a source of food, bio-degradable plastic, UV resistant clothing and ozone-friendly car fuel.

Christchurch J Day participants were treated to a variety of speakers, events and musicians. Larry Ross from Drugs For Arms explained how drug prohibition artificially inflates the price of cannabis and other illegal substances to the point where it is able to fund many international terrorist groups.

Hagley-Ferrymead Board member Yani Johansen read a message from Christchurch East MP Tim Barnett reinforcing Labour's committment to reform. Mike Britnell from the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party announced the kickoff to
his party's election campaign.

Green Party spokesperson Paul de Spar reiterated the Green's policy of allowing adults to have cannabis for personal
use.

Highlight of the day's rally - which was billed as a strictly R18 event - was a "joint scramble" and the declaration of a
prohibition-free zone in the heart of the Garden City.

About 500 people openly smoked cannabis while music played and jugglers juggled. The atmosphere was open and relaxed. There were no arrests or incidents of any kind.

Spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Stephen McIntyre, said that this represented a huge shift in the mind of the public over the past few years.
"More and more people are seeing cannabis for what it really is - a relatively harmless social drug that has enormous potential in healing and helping to clean up a polluted planet", he said.

"Five years ago, having a huge smoke-in of this type in the Square would have been unthinkable. The fear element is slowly
disappearing and the Police are generally turning more of a blind eye to things of this nature", Mr McIntyre said.
"Given the fact that over half our adult population now admit to having used cannabis, I wonder why the Health Select
Committee is being so slow in presenting its report to Parliament", he continued.

"Cannabis law reform is a vital issue to the 35 Kiwis arrested daily for using or possessing cannabis. The Government seems to feel that the cannabis issue is a potential vote loser; but with over half a million current users, I say that it's got to be a vote winner", said Mr McIntyre.