Four people were arrested for allegedly openly smoking or possessing cannabis at Whangarei's Town Basin this evening during a protest by cannabis law reform campaigners.
A group of more than 20 people gathered at the Town Basin around 4.20pm with three police officers also in attendance to keep an eye on the protesters from the group Roaring Lions Cannabis Community Whangarei.
Several of the protesters allegedly openly lit and smoked cannabis joints, sparking three initial arrest, including the group's spokesperson.
An officer then read the remaining group a Bill of Rights warning and searched them under the Misuse of Drugs Act and allegedly found cannabis in one bag and a man was arrested for allegedly possessing the cannabis.
This was the third consecutive Friday the group has held public protests, with the first outside Whangarei Courthouse and the second in Mair Park.
