Seven people were arrested during a four-hour drug-dog operation in Nimbin on Tuesday (April 24).
Between 11am and 3pm, police searched 24 people in Nimbin township using the sniffer dog as a guide.
As a result of the operation seven people were arrested for dug detections, which included cannabis and ice.
Police say two officers suffered minor bruising during one arrest.
A 27-year-old man was later charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis, assault and resist police.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on Monday May 28.
Police also issued seven move on directions.
They say further operations are anticipated.
HEMP Embassy hits out
But HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone believes the police tactics such as this are leading changed drug use patterns in Australia.
‘There is no question any more as to whether current policing is driving a change in drug use in Australia,’ he told Echonetdaily. It’s a fact.
‘Sniffer dogs and saliva testing are both huge contributors to driving this change and it’s hard to believe the police do not realise it,’ he said.
‘The dried herb Cannabis is so totally different to all the other illegal drugs, which are mostly chemical now.
Pot is bulky and smelly compared to powders and pills, and stinks to high heaven when you smoke it. Of course it will push young people who know no better to use whatever they can get away with,’ Mr Balderstone said.
He added that police ‘need to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions’.
‘Maybe it’s time they marched with us for Cannabis law reform in the MardiGrass rally on Sunday May 6, the weekend after next.
‘I cannot understand why they do not support separating cannabis from the other illegals, unless it’s just about keeping their jobs and power to search anyone. The incredibly positive outcomes of changing the laws in America are there for everyone to see now. Australia seems stuck 20 years behind – and the question we are all asking now is why?
‘The dog walking the streets of Nimbin yesterday stirring everyone up was the perfect reminder of why we hold MardiGrass and we expect plenty of passion this year. Maybe that’s why they did it?’ he said.
People have the right to do what they want, to be who they are, up to the point at which they harm other people or trash and environment. Abolition of prohibition is it just as important as gay marriage with respect to human rights. Prohibition causes far more harm than it mitigates. We need to demand a cost-benefit analysis from our government if they intend to perpetuate prohibition.
Yes, Michael. Current policing is ‘strange’ since cannabis should be separated
from dangerous alternatives & prescription addictive medicines. Change.org is
running 2 petitions today for legalising cannabis. Worth following up. Seems
we live in a ‘rogue state’. Sniffer dogs! A Neo-Nazi take.
From “Our Senseless Pot Laws” – Carl Hart – extract ‘Scientific American’ Oct. 1, 2016.
“Despite the regulatory barriers dozens of scientists – myself included – have been
engaged in research on the harms & benefits of marijuana for decades, & the evidence
shows that the drug has many helpful therapeutic uses. It stimulates appetite in HIV
positive patients which could be a lifesaver for someone suffering from AIDS Wasting
Syndrome. It is also useful in the treatment of neuropathetic pain, chronic pain, &
spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. Perhaps it’s all a joke that a law-enforcement
agency has the final word on a medical issue.” Ah… I reckon that’s my final word on
the matter – too. Not many people have ‘human rights’ in the true sense of the word
although it looks & sounds good.
“Using the sniffer dogs as a guide” Sniffer dogs don’t appear to be that good if more than 2 out of every 3 people they targeted and searched were clean! 7 arrests out of 24 searched. Sounds pretty random to me. And a total invasion of privacy for those poor people who had nothing on them. How humiliating to be stopped and searched in public when they have done nothing wrong.
Cannabis was just another useful plant at the time of WW1, and legal. On the eve of ANZAC day Nimbin is raided to assert that people shouldn’t have the right to make their own choices about if and how to use this plant – even as the country that drove the process to prohibit it progressively pulls back from this mistake. What exactly did the ANZACs fight for?
Cannabis scheduling is up for review at WHO in June..I’m suggesting people lobby directly for removal from controlled drugs schedule..for what reason you believe…for me it’s as a safe and effective neuroprotectant it is superior to psychiatric meds for safety and efficacy, and many recreational users are self medicating from social anxiety to PTSD. and attached research..the more the merrier
Absolutely disgusting that a group of police can arrive in a Town and consider everyone a potential Criminal because their unmuzzled Dogs are walking around sniffing people for a Natural HERB Ubelievable…Do they even apologise after Harrassing innocent people after their dog has got it wrong one Again and what is the actual Agenda ???
they have been sent to the wrong place ,
send the dogs to pharmaceutical factories with dangerous lab chemicals that are prescribed with no consideration for the well been of the patient, and you ask why it’s all about the money not the patient.
Send the dogs in and serve the public you are meet to protect .
No wonder Australia is confused on Cannabis Law Reform – Nimbin is not talking about supporting the new NSW bill that would stop all of this as it legalises Cannabis for medical use 1st and immediately means 30% of Nimbin users would be legal. He also refers to law enforcement as “they” being responsible for the laws somehow. Last time I checked the cops work to a minister. If folks dont like the law vote them out and support law reform. Nimbin has been doing the same thing for 44 years. You would think if you want a different result doing something different might be a consideration (like supporting law reform so real Cannabis is legal for medical use 1st) California did it 22 years ago and the world changed. It is time to get informed and support the bill to leglaise in 2018. – http://bit.ly/Adam-2018-SCL
Exactly. Go to change.org legalise recreational cannabis [that way you can
petition Malcolm Turnbull]. More info is on that site, follow through.