JEFF TOLLAN
JOHN BISSET/Timaru HeraldPETER DAVY: Bailed for eight weeks, pending a psychiatric report.
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LATEST: A man threatening a hunger strike if he is jailed on cannabis charges has been bailed for eight weeks, pending a psychiatric report.
Peter John Frances Davy, 51, unemployed, appeared in the Timaru District Court this morning. He previously admitted charges of possession of cannabis, cultivating cannabis, importing cannabis seed and unlicensed possession of a rifle.
Judge Gary MacAskill remanded Davy on bail until June, for a report on his mental state.
Outside court Davy said he did not mind the delay in his sentencing.
"I've got another eight weeks to care for my partner. If they want to check my sanity they can. It's my intention to prove that I'm completely sane."
COURTHOUSE PROTEST
Protesters gathered outside the Timaru District Court this morning ahead of a Davy's appearance on cannabis charges.
They were holding signs of support and yelling messages at passing cars.
Police say there had been three complaints made by businesses about the noise.
Previously, protesters had warned 'hell' would be unleashed across New Zealand if Davy was jailed.
Davy, who had a benign tumour, said last night he would go on hunger strike if jailed today.
He maintained the cannabis he grew and smoked was for medicinal purposes and he "never shared a joint with anyone".
He was also the 24-hour carer for his partner, who had advanced multiple sclerosis.
If he was jailed, Davy said his partner would have to sell everything she owned and go into a rest home.
A former computer technician and journalist, Davy said he would sooner not have to use cannabis, but it was the only thing that helped fight the pain cancer caused.
"People are crazy if they think I don't miss my old life.
"I would love to be that person again."
He did not want people to think he wanted cannabis freely available to everyone. His cause was the use of medicinal marijuana.
"People get it all mixed up in their heads. They don't understand it at all, they think it's all about pot heads."
Davy said he was stunned at the support that had come in.
"I've had two months [of support] from people all over the world. It's great. I would have probably fallen apart if it wasn't for those people, I was so stressed."
His scheduled sentencing in March, which drew a crowd of protesters, was adjourned until today so his newly-appointed counsel could receive disclosure.
Dakta Green, who founded The Daktory to promote medical cannabis use, had said protesters would be outside the Timaru court and courts around the country this morning.
"Peter Davy's story will be out. It is already a worldwide story. The whole world is watching this judge."
Asked what the reaction would be to a prison sentence, Green responded: "One of extreme anger and we would rally the troops".
Members of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Law (NORML) would also find other "unique and wonderful ways" to "rise up" in protest, Green added.
- The Timaru Herald
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Cannabis figure Peter Davy bailed | Stuff.co.nz
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