U-buds and Doobers (not Ubers) were on duty last weekend, driving hundreds of people to and from Nimbin’s annual MardiGrass drug reform rally and festival.

Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said having the drug free drivers was great – allowing people to enjoy the pro-cannabis drug reform celebration without having to worry about the usual police roadside drug testing.

“Thousands of people were in Nimbin over the weekend and they came from all over Australia,” Michael said.

“There was lots of passion for the roadside drug testing laws to change. Cannabis users are frustrated about not being heard and the lack of reason that goes with police saliva testing.

“It has nothing to do with being impaired, it’s just about the presence of weed.”

“The police told me they got more people this year with saliva testing than last year,” he said. “But we will have to wait for the official figures to come out.

“Were any of those drivers actually impaired? It’s a huge impact on country drivers if they lose their licences – they need to be able to drive around.”

“The frustration is also about not being allowed to grow our own cannabis – and then have to pay high prices for the legally prescribed stuff – and then still not be allowed to drive while using it.”

Despite the police drug testing van being present on the side of the road on the way into Nimbin, Michael said there were not many arrests this year.

“But I’m still waiting for the official numbers from police – we’ll know by next week,” he said.

The annual MardiGrass is normally held in May, but was postponed due to flooding earlier this year. Michael said crowd numbers were still good, despite the change of dates. 

“People seemed to have a good time,” he said. “They enjoyed the weather and it wasn’t too crowded.”

“Next year, I’d like to hold it in May again. That coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival – a week after MardiGrass, so we might do something together.”

One of the highlights of the festival were live DJs in Mingle park from 5pm each day – and the spectacle that is the law reform rally parade (complete with the big joint) on Sunday afternoon.

“This year, Ponyland made a fantastic float for the parade – it was best rally we’ve had in years,” Michael said.

“At the HEMP symposium, speakers included West Australian HEMP party politician Dr Brian Walker who spoke about drug law reform.

“The Kombie convoy on Saturday was great, so was the 420 and the HEMP Olympix.

“This year was the first time we had the MardiGrass marijuana music awards – and the winner was a Gold Coast reggae group.

“Gary the bullet proof monk won the pot art competition with his banner ‘The law is the crime’ that hangs outside the embassy.”