In a Tauranga first, around 30 people have gathered in Yatton Park to protest for cannabis to be legalised.

The Legalise Cannabis Protest or J Day is being held around the country in an effort to sway the Government's stance of its cannabis laws.

People are protesting in Yatton Park for cannabis to be legalised. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The protest consisted of people walking around and making their opinions heard as music was played in the park.

Tauranga protest organiser Blaze, who did not want to give his real name and says most people know him as Blaze, wants people to be able to have the right to smoke cannabis much like they do tobacco.

'Cannabis can be harmful. But a cheeseburger is also harmful to the body but you don't see that being illegal.

'People should have the choice to be able to use it if they want.”
He says thousands of sick people may are already using medicinal cannabis illegally.

Cannabis is used to by numerous people suffering a wide range of medical conditions including glaucoma and cancer.

'If they get caught they can often be arrested and charged as criminals.
'People already use it for recreational use. What we want is for people to be able to use it medicinally without the stigma that comes with it. Make it fair for everyone.”

Paying taxes on cannabis, like people do when they buy tobacco, is one of Blaze's suggestions as a way to regulate cannabis use.

'High tobacco prices have put a lot off smoking. But you will always get someone who will want to smoke no matter the cost. The same can be said about cannabis.”