The Nimbin HEMP Embassy took the Big Joint on the Cannabus to Sydney to ensure that cannabis law reform was an outcome of the NSW Drug Summit of 18 - 21 May.

The Big Joint and a convoy of Kombis, buses and other vehicles departed from Nimbin 11 am Friday 14 May

The HEMP Embassy hosted a People's Drug Summit in the Sydney Domain. We spoke with many politicians and other concerned citizens.

This page was updated regularly with reports of the progress of the Cannabus and the People's Drug Summit. A live webcam was on site at the Domain to record the historic events.

THE JOURNEY

PROGRESS REPORT: LISMORE, NSW  15:00 14/5/99

This is the first test transmission from side of road sitting in the sun in a circle of grass in the driveway of a Mirv Bryant's diesel mechanics in Lismore. Mirv has done a wonderful job patching the fuel line and ensuring the Cannabus is safe & roadworthy for it's epic journey to the Sydney Drug Summit.

We are waiting for final mechanical checks and adding the final touches to the paintwork on the bus. Now that we are on the road we are doing some serious planning on our itinerary, and should have all our points of call on the website by tonight.

Sydney Morning Herald reporter Greg has gone to arrange tonight's tucker, and we're going to have a big cook-up some place this evening.

We will definitely get to Grafton this afternoon to park the bus outside the jail, which is more than half-full of drug offenders. We will offer them our reassurance that no one should have to be jailed for the use of such a harmless herb as cannabis.

The Botanical Gardens authority have approved our rally in the Domain, only requiring us to sign our guarantee that we will not harm the heritage environment and will do our best to comply with the 22 pages of conditions of use of the park.

The Police have been supportive and cooperative, and we are guaranteeing them a peaceful and beautiful People's Drug Summit.

BACK TO THE MAP

PROGRESS REPORT: WOODBURN, NSW  17:00 14/5/99

The support convoy is awaiting the Cannabus and other vehicles at Woodburn in the centre of town opposite the Woodburn Bridge. We've asked JJJ to put out a message to call the Big Joint in for dinner, but they say that Senator Harradine's rejection of the GST is bigger news and takes priority! Congratulations on one victory for the poor, but please, remember the poor will still be oppressed by unfair drug laws!

Natasha Verco, Co State Environment Officer of the National Union of Students, has pledged the total support of the National Union of Students for the People's Drug Summit. There is now the possibility of thousands of citizens gathering at Parliament House on Monday morning to hear the truth about drug law reform.

The PEACE BUS will meet the CANNABUS at Kings Beach in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. The Peace Bus will be providing a PA and musicians to combine with the Cannabus's Convoy's crew to produce a memorable event.

BACK TO THE MAP

PROGRESS REPORT: Little Italy Caravan Park, NSW  08:00 15/5/99

The Cannabus and Konvoy are about to leave a comfortable night's campsite at the Little Italy Caravan Park. With preparations taking a little longer than expected yesterday, we weren't able to make Grafton Jail last night. So we will be there this morning at 10 AM!

The Big Banana at Coffs Harbour looks like our likely stop for this afternoon's smoko, around 2pm.

Now we have an idea of how fast the Cannabus can go, the itinerary will be updated more regularly.

The Nimbin Hemp Embassy has reported many phone calls in response to yesterday's JJJ radio coverage. People along the route of the Cannabus are pledging their support and hope to meet the Cannabus en route to offer their best wishes, donations and supplies.

BACK TO THE MAP

PROGRESS REPORT: The Big Banana, COFFS HARBOUR, 08:00

The Peace Bus is proceeding on schedule on the northward leg of it's rescue mission and we expect to be "Passing the Joint" around noon — which will give us plenty of time to cover the North Coast Activism Stage and arrive in Newcastle some time around ... shall we say "Four Twenty" 4.20?

The best guesstimates for road side photo opportunities.

If you live between Coffs and Kempsey: Noon to 1.45

If you live between Kempsey to Taree: 1.45 to 3.00 P.M.

If you live between Taree to Newcastle: 3.00 pm till 4.20 pm

Live web feed status ...
The potpal (laptop) that is hooked to the web cam has done a "Cannabus" and had a crash of it's own so there will be no live wwwindow until Sydney, we shouldn't have anywhere the same amount of connectivity problems once we hit the BIG Smoke, I mean, Sydney is Y2K simpatico isn't it?

BACK TO THE MAP

PROGRESS REPORT: Macksville, NSW 19:00

A day of excitement and changed plans! This morning we thought the Cannabus was Canna-busted.  But thanks to calls for help put out by Radio JJJ we were flooded with friendly support in Coffs Harbour. Massive local support has seen the bus fixed for free by Gerrard from Ric's Motors in Woolgoolgah, the crew fed and provisions and encouragement provided!

We have met up with the PEACE BUS and are rolling in Convoy to Sydney for the People's Drug Summit in HIGH spirits!

We have to offer our most sincere apologies to our supporters in Newcastle. The Laws of mechanics simply made it impossible to be there. But come to Sydney instead!

We are representing the more than 1 million regular cannabis users in Australia, and we need a show of numbers to make an impression on the Drug debate which has slid into nothing but a for and against argument for heroin injection rooms.

Morale in the Cannabus Konvoy is high, and we are confident of making it to Sydney at 8am, landing at the fountain in Hyde Park North. Tune in tomorrow morning for Live web-cam coverage of the offering of the Big Joint to the NSW Drug Summit.

BACK TO THE MAP

PROGRESS REPORT: Mount White, 06:00, NSW

Down on Freeway S3 the Cannabus has dropped a universal bearing. Beleagured in a stream of car headlights going off to gainful employment.

We rang the NRMA emergency number. A bemused woman answered and put us on to Wayne the Tow Trucker Driver, who would tow the Cannabus to the NSW Parliament for $450. But when Wayne arrived he looked at the damage and said some mates of his could fix it quicker and cheaper than $450!

Wayne got on his mobile and organised the whole job for $20. Sure he wanted drug law reform, "Who doesn't smoke grass?" he asked.  The politicians, he said, were the trouble — useless, self-interested and stupid.

We stood with our backs to the freeway and watched the dawn light reveal the grandeur of the forests and valleys of Mt White, the sandstone portals of Sydney. Turning our backs on the concrete and steel, looking out to wilderness and light dawning.

But as the light reveals the Big Joint and its message, more and more cars honk their support and we are again called to our purpose, our social responsibility.

To end the war on drugs, to declare the peace on nature's medicinal herbs, These troubles are small compared to those ahead ...

See you at Parliament House at 9 am!