The Daktory

Last updated
The Daktory pictured with founder Dakta Green, while the warehouse was still operating The Daktory.jpg
The Daktory pictured with founder Dakta Green, while the warehouse was still operating

The Daktory was a warehouse catering for the sale and consumption of cannabis in New Lynn, West Auckland, New Zealand. [1] The Daktory operated in open defiance of New Zealand drug legislation prohibiting the cultivation, possession, sale and consumption of cannabis; its founder Dakta Green was jailed for 23 months for the operation of the warehouse. [2] Members were called 'Daktas' and are registered under a pseudonym of their choice. They paid a monthly fee to join which allowed them access to The Daktory or they paid a $5 general entry charge. Patrons had to be 18 years of age or older. Once inside, members would openly smoke cannabis using any of the many paraphernalia provided. At various times cannabis was also openly grown in and sold from the Daktory. Nationwide branches of the Daktory were planned for all major New Zealand cities and other areas of strong demand for cannabis. [3] [4]

Contents

History

The Daktory evolved from a group of cannabis law reform supporters in Auckland, the home base of NORML New Zealand.

Auckland 420

The founding members of the Daktory got to know each other through the short lived Auckland 420 sessions that took place in Albert Park from mid-2007 to mid-2008. The Auckland 420 sessions were established to show solidarity with the Dunedin 420 group that had been established in 2004. [5]

The Cannabus

The group of activists centred on the Auckland 420 sessions were responsible for the genesis of Mary Jane the Cannabus, a rehabilitated old Bedford bus owned by NORML New Zealand that serves as a mobile cannabis law reform activism centre. As one of the core members of the Auckland group was moving back to Dunedin, a plan was hatched to take the Cannabus on a nationwide tour from Auckland to Dunedin once her rehabilitation was complete. The Cannabus tour took place from late March to early May 2008, visiting 42 towns and cities throughout New Zealand and having a high-profile public cannabis smoking session at 4:20pm in each town on each day of the tour. The bus was driven for the length of the tour by Dakta Green, Dakta Grower, and Dakta Fooz, who were joined for a few weeks, including two "smoke-in" protests at parliament, by NORML Communications Officer Danyl Strype. The tour was timed to arrive in Dunedin for Cannabis Awareness Week and J-Day, annual events put on by the Otago University NORML chapter. [6]

New Lynn

After the tour a warehouse space in New Lynn, Waitakere was acquired to permanently store the Cannabus when it was not on the road. This space is located at 80 Delta Avenue, New Lynn, the current location of the Daktory. The factory is owned by Jacqueline & Brian Clarke and the Onehunga Trustee Company Limited. [7]

Media interest

Dakta Green has appeared in the media numerous times promoting the Daktory, initially gaining notoriety as a candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the 2009 Mt. Albert by-election resulting from the resignation of Helen Clark. Stories about the Daktory have appeared in The Western Leader, The New Zealand Herald , [8] [9] the Sunday News [10] and TV3 News. [11] Dakta Green and the Daktory are covered in the feature documentary Druglawed.

Police raid

The New Zealand Police raided the Daktory on Saturday, January 9, 2010 apparently acting on information gained from a Sunday News journalist. [12] [13]

Court case

Dakta Green is involved in several ongoing court cases for cannabis offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. In one case he has been granted permission to deliver a submission arguing that alcohol is more harmful than cannabis. [14] [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">420 (cannabis culture)</span> Number referring to cannabis

420, 4:20 or 4/20 is cannabis culture slang for marijuana and hashish consumption, especially smoking around the time 4:20 pm (16:20). It also refers to cannabis-oriented celebrations that take place annually on April 20. At locations in the United States where cannabis is legal, cannabis dispensaries will often offer discounts on their products on April 20.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is a social welfare organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States regarding both medical and non-medical use. According to their website, NORML supports "the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts" and advocates for "the creation of a legal and regulatory framework for marijuana's production and retail sale to adults". NORML also has a sister organization, NORML Foundation, that focuses on educational efforts and providing legal assistance and support to people affected negatively by current marijuana laws. NORML maintains chapters in a number of US states as well as outside the US in countries such as Canada, France, New Zealand, and South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party</span> New Zealand political party

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP), also known as the Cannabis Party, is a political party in New Zealand. It is dedicated to removing or reducing restrictions on the use of cannabis and similar substances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Marijuana March</span> Annual rally

The Global Marijuana March (GMM), also referred to as the Million Marijuana March (MMM), is an annual rally held at different locations around the world on the first Saturday in May. A notable event in cannabis culture, it is associated with cannabis-themed events, which may include marches, meetings, rallies, raves, concerts, festivals, and attempts at educational outreach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gangs in New Zealand</span> Criminal gangs in New Zealand

There are numerous gangs in New Zealand, of varying criminality, organisation and ethnicity, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, street gangs and ethnically based gangs. A chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club was formed in Auckland in 1961, the first Hells Angels chapter outside the US. Soon after, the Mongrel Mob formed in Hastings and Wellington, developing into a predominantly Māori and Pacific Islander gang, and having the largest membership in the country. Through the 1960s and 1970s, other outlaw motorcycle clubs and ethnically based gangs formed, including another predominantly Māori gang, Black Power, which grew to rival the Mongrel Mob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana Larsen</span> Canadian politician

Dana Albert Larsen is a Canadian author, businessman, philanthropist and activist for cannabis and drug policy reform. Larsen currently operates businesses and non-profit societies in Vancouver including The Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary, The Medicinal Mushroom Dispensary, The Coca Leaf Cafe, Pothead Books, and the Get Your Drugs Tested centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otago NORML</span>

Otago University NORML is a pro cannabis law reform student club at the University of Otago, affiliated to the Otago University Students Association. It is a local chapter of the national New Zealand cannabis law reform organisation NORML New Zealand, an affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in New Zealand</span> Use of cannabis in New Zealand

The use of cannabis in New Zealand is regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which makes unauthorised possession of any amount of cannabis a crime. Cannabis is the fourth-most widely used recreational drug in New Zealand, after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, and the most widely used illicit drug. In 2001 a household survey revealed that 13.4% of New Zealanders aged 15–64 used cannabis. This ranked as the ninth-highest cannabis consumption level in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Mount Albert by-election</span> New Zealand by-election

The 2009 Mount Albert by-election was held in the New Zealand electorate of Mount Albert on 13 June 2009. There were fifteen candidates in the election. David Shearer of the Labour Party won the election with 63% of the vote. The seat was vacated by former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark, who resigned from the New Zealand Parliament on 17 April 2009 following her appointment to head the United Nations Development Programme. Main issues surrounding the campaign included the building of the Waterview Connection and the Auckland Region becoming a supercity.

Dakta Green, formerly Kenneth Morgan is a former New Zealand cannabis law reform activist and political candidate. He changed his name by public poll in 2008. He is the Activism co-ordinator for NORML New Zealand, the driver of Mary Jane the Cannabus, and founder of The Daktory. He was a candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the 2009 Mount Albert by-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NORML New Zealand</span> Cannabis law reform organisation

NORML New Zealand is a cannabis law reform organisation in New Zealand. It is a National Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction</span> Cannabis laws by state and territory

In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA). Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Despite this, most states have legalized either or both the medical and recreational use of cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tribesmen Motorcycle Club</span> New Zealand motorcycle gang

The Tribesmen are a prominent outlaw motorcycle club based in the North Island of New Zealand. They have a relatively large presence, having set up chapters in Ōtara, Northland, Rotorua, Murupara and Christchurch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Guam</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in Guam

Cannabis in Guam has been legal for medical use since 2015 and legal for recreational use since April 2019. Guam was the first United States Territory to legalize medical marijuana, passing via a ballot referendum in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiwi Property Group</span> New Zealand NZX-listed company

Kiwi Property Group Limited is a New Zealand NZX-listed company, formerly a real estate investment trust, that owns many properties throughout New Zealand; including the Sylvia Park Business and Shopping Centre, and the Vero Centre. It is also New Zealand's largest-listed property fund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whakamana Cannabis Museum</span>

Whakamana, or The New Zealand Institute for Cannabis Education, Research and Development is New Zealand's first museum dedicated to the history of cannabis use and culture. It was first opened in October 2013 in Dunedin as part of a project spearheaded by Abe Gray, former deputy leader of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP), and Julian Crawford, former ALCP regional spokesperson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Arizona</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Arizona, U.S.

Cannabis in Arizona is legal for recreational use. A 2020 initiative to legalize recreational use passed with 60% of the vote. Possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis became legal on November 30, 2020, with the first state-licensed sales occurring on January 22, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chlöe Swarbrick</span> New Zealand politician

Chlöe Charlotte Swarbrick is a New Zealand politician. Following a high-profile but unsuccessful run for the 2016 Auckland mayoral election, she became a parliamentary candidate for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, standing in the 2017 New Zealand general election and was elected as a member of the New Zealand Parliament at the age of 23. In the 2020 election, Swarbrick was elected as the Member of Parliament for Auckland Central, becoming the second Green Party MP to win an electorate seat in the history of the party, and only the second minor party MP since the inception of MMP to win a general electorate seat without a tacit endorsement from a major party leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abe Gray</span> Cannabis activist from New Zealand

Abraham Gabriel Gray is an American-born New Zealand cannabis activist, politician and founder of the Whakamana Cannabis Museum, New Zealand's first and only cannabis museum. Gray was a University of Otago lecturer and tutor for over a decade before founding the museum.

References

  1. ↑ Walters, Laura (15 December 2014). "Drug vending machine back with The Daktory club" . Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Court almost triples drug sentence". TVNZ. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Hopkins, Steve (January 10, 2010). "Pot clubs go nationwide". Sunday News. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Foundation dismisses claims of NZ-wide cannabis clubs". New Zealand Herald. January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  5. ↑ NORML News
  6. ↑ NORML News
  7. ↑ NORML News
  8. ↑ "Daktory founder to fight drug charges". New Zealand Herald. January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Foundation dismisses claims of NZ-wide cannabis clubs". New Zealand Herald. January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  10. ↑ Hopkins, Steve (January 10, 2010). "Pot clubs go nationwide". Sunday News. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  11. ↑ Shepard, Simon (January 10, 2010). "President of cannabis club has expansion plans". TV3 News. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  12. ↑ Hopkins, Steve (January 10, 2010). "Pot clubs go nationwide". Sunday News. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  13. ↑ Green, Dakta (January 10, 2010). "Police Raid The Daktory". The Daktory. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  14. ↑ NORML News
  15. ↑ "Daktory founder to fight drug charges". New Zealand Herald. January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.

Coordinates: 36°54′07″S174°41′10″E / 36.901981399°S 174.6859980°E / -36.901981399; 174.6859980

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.