The removal of a vending machine from the Daktory has not dampened enthusiasm for cannabis law reform.

At 6.15pm on March 22 seven police officers came to the Daktory. The officers were invited into the building but soon after invoked powers of warrentless search under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975). They searched club members and four activists were arrested.

Three males and a female were placed in a police vehicle, for up to two hours before being taken to Henderson police station. The four accused were detained until 2.30am at which time they were bailed with charges ranging from possession of cannabis, possession for supply, permits premises to be used, and possession of drug related utensils.

The Daktory remains open for cannabis activists but is no longer providing a vending machine service. The Daktory is still committed to cannabis law reform and will be increasing pressure on MPs to change the law.

Two select committee inquiries and a law commission report have all recommended relaxing the cannabis laws. However, Parliament has failed to implement these recommendations, leading the Daktory and other activist to resort to civil disobedience.

"This raid was a huge waste of taxpayer's dollars. The Police should have been using this time to deal with threats to the community," one of the accused, Dakta Blaze said, "People from all over our community come to The Daktory as a safe haven from the black-market, created by prohibition. The Daktory simply makes our community a safer place."

The raid has only encouraged the Daktory to become more vocal in the fight for legalisation. A protest is planned for March 28 at the Waitakere District Court, 9 am, when the four will make their first appearance.

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