Police will be at the ready to deal with any trouble as a pro-cannabis protest organiser offers free ''protest joints'' to those who join a legalise-cannabis demonstration outside the Oamaru police station this Saturday.
The protest is part of nationwide action planned by people wanting an end to criminal penalties for cannabis possession.
A former advocate for Norml NZ, the national organisation for the reform of marijuana laws, Brian Borland, of Whangarei, posted on his Facebook page last week that he met the organiser of the Oamaru protest, Clay Stringer, and Mr Stringer wanted as many people to come along as possible.
''If being able to get good deals of great quality cannabis whenever you want it, appeals to you ... Then you better get out on the 17th and earn it.
''Gift packs including protest joints provided.''
Mr Borland said he was not worried about protesters being charged with possession or use of cannabis during the action.
''The numbers are going to be far too great in most areas to do anything.''
Mr Stringer could not be reached for comment.
When police were told of the post's contents they would not say if they would take any action in response to any ''protest joints''.
In an emailed statement police command and emergency management manager Inspector Nick Brown, said police respected people's right to lawfully protest.
Police were aware of the planned protest action, and would have the ''appropriate police resources'' at each event across the country to deal with any issues that might arise, he said.
''Police as an organisation is well practised in dealing with these events, and our staff will work to ensure an effective response is provided based on the circumstances at the time.''
In the South, protests on Saturday will be held outside police stations in Queenstown, Gore, Invercargill and Oamaru.
