MardiGrass drug tests stop people from attending, claim organisers

MardiGrass organiser Michael Balderstone said police drug test roadblocks making it hard for people to attend protest festival.

MARDIGRASS: As of 6pm on Saturday May 1, police had conducted more than 400 random drug and alcohol tests at the 2021 MardiGrass festival at Nimbin. Photo: Mark Stapelberg.

UPDATE 12.30: One of the major drawcards of Nimbin MardiGrass will start in about an hour, but roads into the town are clogged with police drug and alcohol testing drivers.

The MardiGrass Parade highlights the main message of the MardiGrass rally, that law reform is needed surrounding the use of cannabis.

Organisers say the large police presence that has been in place on all roads leading into Nimbin for the weekend event highlights the need for law reform.

Drivers are being drug and alcohol tested as they make their way to the event, with police saying this morning that 17 positive results had been detected from more than 400 drug and alcohol tests.

Those calling forreform say the drug tests are unfair, that unlike alcohol tests, they do not measure impairment, merely the presence of the drug in the body.

Debate on the issue raged on The Northern Star Facebook site

Readers discussed the impact of passive smoke and medicinal cannabis use on test results, and questioned the fines were fair.

Sharon Zealand said: “Why have they established impairment levels for alcohol but not cannabis? Its not rocket science. A joint smoked the night before is NOT impairment! It’s revenue raising”.

Cassie Walker-Edwards said: “It’s possible to not smoke and be only in a room with smokers and have a reading the next day”.

Christopher Robey however said: “That’s why the charge is “relevant drug present” not “under the influence” and carries a much lower maximum penalty”.

Others backed the police stance that the testing was for public safety.

Matthew Corner said: “Simple don’t drive under the influence and put other road users at risk”.

A panel discussion at Nimbin Town Hall on Saturday night discussed the issue.

Former magistrate David Heilpern, who in the past has called drug driving tests “grossly unfair, led the discussion which asked: Safer Roads or Bigger Brother?

Also answering questions on the panel were solicitor Steve Bolt, Tom Brown from the Drive Change Campaign, Greens MLC David Shoebridge, Robbie Swan from Fiona Patten’s Reason Party VIC, and Dr Alex Wodak.

Original story: Organisers of Nimbin’s MardiGrass have raised concerns over saliva testing for drugs on the roads into the town, but have praised police on duty at the festival.

HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said “police have been really great.”

“We appreciate their common sense approach,” he said.

“The only problem is with the saliva testing at the RBT roadblocks.”

Mr Balderstone claimed the large police presence made it harder for people to get to the festival, but attendee numbers were higher than a lack of tourists and COVID-19 had first indicated.

“”We have larger numbers here, a lot more people with bigger crowds than I expected,” he said.

“Yesterday we had 42 kombis (in a parade), I would have been happy if there had been 20.

“I think crowd numbers reflect that we have been locked up for a while (with COVID-19) and people are keen to get out.

Mr Balderstone said while busy, the vibe has been “really friendly.”

Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Ty Johnston said community safety was their priority at Nimbin township this weekend.

Mr Johnston said general duties officers from the RPD were being supported by their colleagues from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, OSG and the Proactive Crime Team to target any anti-social, public order and drug and alcohol related crime.

“Police would like to remind the community to behave responsibly during the course of festival / protest,” he said.

“Community safety is our priority, we want everyone to get home safely.

“As of Saturday May 1, 2021 at 6pm over 400 RBT / RDT were contacted with 17 positive results,” he said.

“Police have issued three cannabis cautions and one future court attendance notice issue for drug possession.”