It's a "forbidden fruit", easy to get our hands on, or maybe we just like it.
Those are some of the explanations experts have for a study in the Lancet which finds Kiwis and Aussies are the world's biggest pot smokers.
Up to 15 per cent of New Zealanders and Australians aged 15 to 64 were reported to have used the drug in the past year, which compared with rates of 1.2 to 2.5 per cent in Asia.
"There were no surprises to us, I guess, of the fact that Australia and New Zealand have the highest rate of cannabis use globally," said report co-author Wayne Hall, of the University of Queensland's Centre for Clinical Research. "Our rates are not fabulously high - we look like most other developed countries in Western Europe and North America - we are just a bit higher on some drugs and a bit lower on others."
New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell cited easy access to cannabis as a factor.
"I really don't know what it is in the New Zealand psyche that makes us want to use drugs - I think we saw when legal highs hit the market that New Zealanders really had an appetite for them."
Hippocritic oath: Doctors are being disciplined for endorsing cannabis for chronic pain sufferers even though trails of Sativex for chronic pain having been already been done in New Zealand.
Doctors are being asked not to sign medical certificates supporting the use of marijuana to relieve chronic pain.
Their regulatory body, the Medical Council of New Zealand, says it has received two complaints in the past year over the issue.
In its latest newsletter it says in both cases the doctor was asked by a patient to write in support of the continued use of marijuana for the relief of chronic pain, and they did so.
The council was not prepared to say where the complainants or the doctors were from or what action had been taken with the doctors concerned.
Chairman Dr John Adams said the council took the view that "certificates of this type do not meet minimum standards of professionalism".
"If asked for such a certificate, we suggest that doctors decline the request."
The newsletter pointed out marijuana was a class C drug and penalty for possession was three months jail and/or a $500 fine.
The writer of the news item, the council's medical adviser, Dr Steven Lillis, said the ethical arguments and debates over the decriminalisation of marijuana were irrelevant to its current status as an illegal drug.
A medical certificate supporting its use was "condoning and abetting someone to do something that is illegal".
ALCP Closing address presented by leader and Wellington Barrister Michael Appleby and candidates Jasmin Hewlett, Adrian McDermott, Leo Biggs and Jeffrey Lye.
The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP) is the only party with a plan to save the New Zealand economy.
With tough economic times looming in Europe and the US, New Zealand's economy will not be immune to the debt crisis.
ALCP leader and Wellington Barrister Michael Appleby said his party had a solution that would significantly boost the economy and government revenue: Legalising Cannabis, Medical Marijuana and Hemp.
"Other parties promote austerity measures, zero budgets and massive deficits, they cut spending in one area to boost it in another," he said.
"ALCP policy will grow the total pool of money available to be spent on public services."
Don Brash has been portrayed as a dope addled hippie
If Don Brash gets rolled as ACT leader – a scenario allegedly outlined in the infamous teapot tape – he's welcome to join the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.
ALCP leader Michael Appleby has invited Dr Brash to stand for the pro-cannabis party at the next election.
In September, Dr Brash revealed that although he'd never used the recreational drug, he backed its decriminalisation because it would save the country $100 million a year.
''Apparently, a majority of New Zealanders think this law is an ass," he said during a speech on law and order.
ACT's Epsom candidate John Banks – a former Minister of Police, and the party's only hope of getting back into Parliament – rejected Dr Brash's views, saying he would never vote for the loosening of drug laws.
Hence the ALCP's invitation.
"Dr Brash has not used cannabis but has reviewed the evidence and says there is a compelling case for relaxing the cannabis laws, saving $100 million on police enforcement costs each year," says Mr Appleby.
The ALCP leader has also called for the release of the teapot tapes.
"When a high ranking candidate has a conversation with the Prime Minister about matters of public interest in a public location there is no expectation of privacy," says Mr Appleby.
The crack-down on cannabis tourism and skunk varieties in Amsterdam gives New Zealand a chance to corner the global cannabis market.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis party leader Michael Appleby said ALCP policy would legalise cannabis for recreational and commercial purposes for anyone over 18.
"The GST from tourism and other export markets could reach over $1 billion each year," he said.
"The Dutch have banned cannabis over 15% THC and have restricted sales of cannabis to foreigners, undermining its appeal to cannabis-tourists."
Christchurch ALCP candidates say "Legalise the Kiwi whanau and regulate the herb R18 - less police is the sign of a healthy community."
- ALCP has stepped in at the last minute illuminating the 2011 general election’s Health, Law and Order Debate –
They say there are upwards of 400,000 people consuming cannabis in NZ (some say 750,000), and meanwhile 70% of violent crime in NZ is because of Alcohol.
There is such imbalance in the national alcohol and other drug policy, its not surprising the people of NZ are out of balance too with all their binge drinking and virtually unfettered substance intake.. see alcp health spokespersons address to NZ GP’s www.nzdoctor.co.nz
Labours support for Law Commision (alcohol only, that is)
Written by Kevin O'Connell
Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:58
Labour, Nats and Greens "feeble on public health and wellbeing".
Desperate for the popular vote, the Labour Party is suddenly supporting the NZ Law Commission’s recommendations for more rigorous liquor harm prevention. Yet it has been stony silent on ‘other drug’ recommendations from the Law Commission following its review of the outmoded and dysfunctional 1975 Misuse of Drugs act.
While the Law Commission has recommended toughening up on liquor (the most harmful drug in use in NZ), it has also con-currently recommended easing up on ‘other drugs’ in recognition that prohibition is substantially not working as intended in protecting the public.
These recommendations are of course being dismissed by the National party which has staked its credibility on there being 'not a single solitary chance that it will support cannabis law reform'
Cannabis activists protest Obama's visit to Australia.
United States president Barak Obama yesterday announced a Trans-Pacific Partnership, along with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Japan and Vietnam.
In October 2004, a man was sentenced to death in Brunei for possession of 922 grams of cannabis. Under Brunei law, possession of over 600 grams gets the death penalty.
In 2011 three people, including one couple, were sentenced to death by hanging by the high court in Malaysia for trafficking 4.5 kilograms (just under 10 pounds) of marijuana.
Beneficiaries will lose dole if they fail drug test
Written by ALCP Media
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 18:33
Piss test... Beneficiaries will be kicked off the dole if they test positive for cannabis.
Beneficiaries who risk losing their benefits due to drug testing are being encouraged to give their Party Vote to the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party in the upcoming election.
Wellington Barrister and party leader Michael Appleby said the only way for beneficiaries to continue using cannabis was to ensure the ALCP was elected on November 26 to fight for their rights.
The Government's Welfare Working Group led by economist Paula Rebstock, aims to tackle drug addiction by introducing drug testing for those on the benefit.
