Nimbin village is buzzing with a festival atmosphere, ready for the annual Nimbin MardiGrass Law Reform Gathering weekend to kick off this afternoon.

As usual, the program kicks off at 3pm today (Friday, May 1) with a symbolic street protest at Nimbin Police Station.

Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said it’s a “polite protest”

“We walk from the hospital to the police station and offer an olive branch of peace to the police – and they will tell us the latest corona rules,” Michael said.

“That’s followed by the suppositorium – and that’s a good event. A lot of people don’t know you can get cannabis into your body via your bum.

“There will be a live demonstration on the street at 4.20pm.

“Then Vanessa Ekins, the new mayor, opens the event at Peace Park at 5pm, then there’s the fashion show and the cabaret show.”

Michael Balderstone on the campaign trail.

Tickets

The good news is that tickets are not sold out early as usual, so you can still come to the events – and there is a limit of 300 people in the Nimbin Town Hall.

“It’s because we don’t have the usual backpackers in Nimbin this year and the corona fear people aren’t here either,” Michael said.

People can also look forward to the usual activities such as the HEMP Olympix, a bong throwing competition, the annual law reform parade and protest – and lots of talks.

Drug testing

Michael said people should be aware that the police will be putting up their usual drug testing “road blocks” on the road to Nimbin and will probably be there each day.

“Be aware of it but don’t be put off by it,” Michael said. “Hitchhike, get a lift with a sober driver and suck on your Fisherman’s Friends – but still come,” he said.

“Roadside drug testing is unfair. It should be about impairment and not just the presence of THC. It is a big issue that will be discussed at Mardi Grass.

“This is the 29^th we have protested to legalise the plant which is the best and safest medicine around and never killed anyone.

“We are all upset when they made cannabis legal, but imported it and made it so expensive and has to be gotten through a doctor – why can’t we grow our own."

For full details of the program and events, visit https://nimbinmardigrass.com/