Hundreds to march in Sydney pro pot protest

HUNDREDS of people are expected to gather at Victoria Park in Camperdown today for a “420 Picnic” in protest to legalise cannabis — when the entire turnout is set to “light up” at “stoner time”.

Stereosonic dance festival, Brisbane Showgrounds. Police sniffer dogs check the incoming crowd for drugs.

HUNDREDS of people are expected to gather at Victoria Park in Camperdown today for a “420 Picnic” in protest to legalise cannabis.

More than 30 police officers and two sniffer dogs were patrolling the park in anticipation of the 1300 people who clicked “interested” on the Facebook event.

The Free Cannabis NSW picnic organiser and regular cannabis user Chris Hindi said the highlight of the day would be at 4.20pm when the entire turnout is set to “light up” at “stoner time”.

Mr Hindi, 28, said they want to change the perception of cannabis and educate people about why it should be legalised.

“We are trying to destigmatise the leaf,” Mr Hindi said.

“We are all for the law, we understand that there are rules and regulations people need to follow but if these laws are hurting people we believe they need to be looked at and changed accordingly,” he said.

“We aren’t really doing anything wrong are we? I wonder how many people are shoplifting at Broadway shops while the Police are wasting their resources here.”

The first Free Cannabis NSW picnic was held earlier this year in January and drew a crowd of more than 200 people, with multiple people charged.

The Free Cannabis NSW organisation wants marijuana legalised. Picture: Generic image

“It was a really good turnout in January because it was the first one. We want to beat those numbers today,” Mr Hind said.

“We aren’t saying let us smoke bongs freely in a park, we understand there are families and children around.

“We want to be as discreet as possible but what is the difference between a cigarette and a join?”

“Prohibition hurts good people. Our aim with prohibition is to ask if it doesn’t hurt you or anyone else then why is it illegal?”.

Free Cannabis NSW is hoping to set up these picnics in QLD and WA with guest speakers and loud music at each one.

Greens MP David Shoebridge was present at the event and will be speaking to the masses.

“The Greens NSW believe we should legalise Cannabis, regulate it and tax it,” he said.

Freya Strom, 55, from Woy Woy, uses cannabis oil for medicinal purposes, and she claims since she has started using, her medical problems have decreased.

“I have chronic back pain, PTSD and bipolar and since I’ve started using, I’ve been sleeping for the first time in my life and my digestive system is better,” she said.

Ms Strom said she doesn’t like the feeling of doing something illegal and struggles with the cost of her habit.