Dramatic moment weed smoker is slammed into the ground by cops over a prescription joint – before police embarrassingly let him walk free with his stash
- Man lighting up a legally prescribed joint in Melbourne park swarmed by police
- Smoker is dragged and then carried by four officers across Flagstaff Gardens
- Officers seen letting the man go who claims his ‘weed comes from a pharmacy’
A man who lit up a legally prescribed joint at a pro-weed protest in Melbourne has been left furious after police handcuffed him, shoved him into the ground and paraded him around a park.
The marijuana smoker was attending a rally to legalise pot in the city’s Flagstaff Gardens on Wednesday afternoon when he caught the eye of police officers.
Footage captured by a witness shows a horde of cops leading the man away from the rest of the protesters, who had gathered to mark 4/20 – an annual celebration of smoking pot recognised around the world.
Video shows the man being handcuffed and then pushed to the ground as he shrieks that he has a prescription for the drug.
The man, along with other supporters who also begin to yell, tells the crowd of surrounding officers he ‘can’t breathe’ as they search his pockets.
‘I have a prescription in my bag,’ he yells as a large crowd swells around him.
In footage captured by a witness a horde of officers lead the man away from the rest of the group, handcuff him, and then push him to the ground
Four officers haul the attendee to his feet but he appears to be unable to walk.
The man is dragged and then carried towards a police tent by two officers on either side while at least a dozen more follow close on their heels.
A crowd of protestors also follow suit as the smoker heads towards another dozen officers waiting to question him.
As police begin a thorough search of his pockets one officer leans down to ask the man how he feels, who replies: ‘Better now’.
The man then questions why he is being arrested and explains to officers his weed ‘comes from a pharmacy’ and is ‘prescribed by a doctor’.
‘I have a legal prescription, that’s the only reason I do it out in the open,’ he says while shrugging and shaking his head.
The man is dragged and then carried towards a police tent by two officers on either side as at least a dozen more follow close by
The man later appears from inside a parked police truck and pulls up his pants before finally walking free armed with his stash.
The person behind the camera asks if he has anything to say.
‘I’m a legal patient, my weed comes from a doctor, from a pharmacy,’ he replies.
I thought I’d come here today, first time I’ve came, first time I’ve had legal weed, this year, for 4/20. ‘Lit up one spliff, I get manhandled, dragged around, scratches, bruises… I’m gonna get going, ay.’
Health guidelines state cannabis can be prescribed for any patient for any condition in Victoria if doctors believe it’s clinically appropriate.
Doctors are told they shouldn’t support patients smoking medical marijuana as ‘smoking in general is harmful’ and ‘it is difficult to estimate dosage’, said Victoria Health.
Daily Mail Australia has approached Victoria Police for comment.
The man was later seen taking photos of a policewoman’s vest as he left with his belongings
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