Only around 100 people showed up on Saturday at the Lake Stage for an annual celebration of cannabis culture and to protest against the prohibition against marijuana. In fact, NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) didn’t even show up.

A local group called the Barry Street Association (BSA) coordinated the gathering of those in support of cannabis and its potential role in society. According to one of the association’s members that requested to be referred to as Smurf instead of his real name, the cannabis industry in New Zealand was worth $100 million per year, and if the government would step forward and legalize it with a special tax, then it could prove to be a great source of tax income and be a boost to the nation’s economy.

Last week, the Law Commission tabled the four-year review of the Misuse of Drugs Act in Parliament to recommend a more flexible approach to the use of social marijuana. In addition, the bill made propositions for other social drugs. It suggested the regulation of synthetic highs like party pills before they entered the market.

In response to this proposed legislation, Dakta Green, a spokesperson for NORML, said, “It is a watershed admission that the crown is finally backing down”.