Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says police monitored the event to ensure public order was maintained.
However, he says, there were no complaints received, nor offences disclosed.
If, as reported, people were breaking the law then the lack of police action is puzzling. It also sends an odd message to pot smokers: you can get away with it as long as you organise a protest in a public place.
I can understand that police perhaps wanted to avoid creating a scene which protesters could use to generate more publicity but this concern needs to be balanced against the need to uphold law and order.
Were the police wary of being drawn into a public-relations minefield if arrests were made?
Tauranga Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Ken Evans finds the police inaction baffling.
"A group of people announced ... they were going to break the law, by smoking cannabis, and the law enforcement appear to decide not to bother. The question would be, Why?"
It's a good question and one police need to answer.
