Pro-cannabis protesters say rallies around the country were a success and that police were generally respectful of their motives, despite a few arrests.
A series of events took place from Whangarei to Gore on Saturday afternoon protesting the arrest of cannabis users.
Protesters planned to refrain from lighting up from 4pm to 4.18pm, offering police officers the chance to join the protest if they wished.
Then, from 4.18pm, protesters would inform any officers present that they intended to smoke marijuana, giving them the chance to go inside so as not to officially smell or witness any illegal activity.
Rose Renton, the mother of Nelson teen Alex Renton who died after being permitted to use medical marijuana as a one-off, helped coordinate the events.
In a statement, Ms Renton said protesters "stood for NZ Police in these rallies as they uphold these unjust laws and this is why [protesters] gathered at stations."
She thanked the Police for their positive role.
Ms Renton said those who rallied were aware that only the Government can change these laws, but that their concern was "for our police force, already stressed and not being supported by our Government".
She also said the Christchurch protest was attended by around 80 people, and that police left them to "rally in peace".
"We made NZ history in standing united throughout New Zealand for cannabis law reform," says Ms Renton.
While Ms Renton, among other protesters, reported a sympathetic response from police, arrests are said to have taken place in Northland.
Protester Hemi James posted on Facebook saying police "carried a few people into the police station" and were "a bit rough".
Police have responded, saying while "there were no major issues, four protesters in Whangarei were seen to be consuming cannabis and were arrested and issued with a formal warning."
"No other arrests were made in relation to the protests."
Footage showing protesters being arrested in Whangarei (Dion Anthony Jaggar/Facebook)
"The nationwide rallies... demonstrated the growing public awareness of the medicinal benefits of cannabis,"says Wellington lawyer and Greencross advocate Rosie Purchas.
"One medical user with brain cancer had been given only four weeks to live in 2014, but by using cannabis oil she is still alive."
Ms Purchas also said that several ex-policemen were in attendance, with one saying that the only trouble he had received whilst working was from alcohol abuse and that there was never any trouble from cannabis users.
"By holding the rallies at police stations, the public intended to send the message to MPs of the very real harm of the war on drugs; the social harm to individuals and families of arrested people where there has been no harm caused by using cannabis."
Ms Purchas added that prohibition also encourages racism, with Māori arrested for cannabis-related offences at a rate much higher than Pākehā.
"It is interesting to note that of the the few arrests that occurred yesterday, the police chose to arrest Māori," she said.
Ms Purchas says it is hoped that MPs in New Zealand will "address the unjust laws surrounding cannabis use to allow users their human right to take the medicine of their choice."
The rallies are the latest in a growing call for marijuana law reform in New Zealand.
Newshub.
