‘Gandalf’ accused of selling illegal medicinal cannabis in New Zealand

Outrage over targeting of one of New Zealand's alleged green fairies' who provide cheaper medicinal cannabis without prescription

Police have shut down the alleged medicinal cannabis operation of one of New Zealand's most renowned green fairies", prompting an outpouring of support from a prominent politician and the hundreds of people who rely on such products to ease their pain.

Police raided the rural Northland property of 66-year-old Paul Smith - more widely known as Gandalf" - last week, destroying plants and greenhouses and seizing cannabis products. Smith was charged with cultivating, possessing for supply and selling cannabis - which could carry an eight-year jail sentence - and was summonsed to court.