Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 Source: Northern Star (Australia) Copyright: 2011 APN News & Media Ltd Contact: http://www.northernstar.com.au/contact/feedback/ Website: http://www.northernstar.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5149 RALLY NO EXCEPTION TO DRUG LAWS WHILE MardiGrass is a celebration of all things cannabis, police are warning rally revellers that the substance is still illegal and they will be at this weekend's event to enforce that. The annual event, which actively and colourfully calls for an end to cannabis prohibition, is expected to draw as many protesters as police officers when it kicks off on Saturday. "Extra police from the Richmond Local Area Command will be deployed to the area to create a strong police presence with assistance from the Northern Region Operational Support Group," Richmond LAC crime manager, Detective Acting Inspector Matt Kehoe said. Det Acting Insp Kehoe said recent arrests for drug supply in Nimbin were a timely reminder ahead of this weekend's MardiGrass festival. "Police will be out in numbers this weekend and I remind anyone attending MardiGrass that we will be in attendance and we will take appropriate action against anyone involved in selling or using prohibited drugs," he said. During last year's event, numerous arrests were made, including six arrests for drug-related offences and three for serious assaults. Sixteen cautions for drug possession were also issued. The MardiGrass community will also be analysing the activities of the police this weekend at a police force discussion panel. The Police Force or Police Service discussion panel will take place on Saturday from 1-2pm at the Nimbin Town Hall. The panel will be facilitated by Bond University criminology Professor Paul Wilson and panelled by members of the community, including Law Enforcement Against Prohibition representative Paul Cubitt. Richmond LAC confirmed there would not be a police officer participating in the panel. MardiGrass co-organiser Michael Balderstone said the panel would question whether local policing was the most effective way to deal with cannabis. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.