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| 13 October
2005
Dear Sir, Rosemary McLeod (13/10/5) is foolish to blame Nandor Tanczos and cannabis law-reform lobbyists for the apparent high rates of cannabis use and cancer in Maori. The widespread popularity and acceptability of cannabis has far more to do with its psychoactive appeal, and people resisting being told what to do, than health messages sent by either side of the prohibition debate. Even if it were true that cannabis smoking causes cancer, there would be no more rationality in criminalising use of this plant, than criminalising consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or fatty food. In fact it would be more of a reason to control and regulate the product. If NZ really practiced harm minimisation policy, cannabis criminality would by 'gone by lunchtime' and safer options than smoking would be available (eg tincture, vaporisation, mouth spray). Health messages will have a much greater likelihood of being listened to when removed from the context of implausible double standards and McLeod-style bigotry. Yours sincerely Kevin O’Connell |
