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Media release: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, 6 November 2007 |
Cannabis debate puts heat on parliament
Bravo to the NZ Drug Foundation for re-igniting discussion about the cannabis
legal status. A rational public debate on the pros and cons of
decriminalisation options for New Zealand's number one illicit drug is long
overdue. To promote real evidence will be far more useful than the silly
'media hysteria' approach which has happened to date. But it's really about
nailing the evidence and coming to a conclusion.
The Party totally agrees with the sentiment that this is the most important
issue that politicians have studiously avoided.
"MPs have been gutless about cannabis-related policy and the negative effects of
the existing prohibition regime", said ALCP president, Kevin O’Connell.
"Meanwhile the public have been abused and ill-served, and all New Zealanders
are paying for the nation's black market economy, high criminality rate, and
the continual 'need' for more police and prisons."
Prohibition is a rip-off and protects no-one. There is overwhelming evidence
that criminalisation has not worked either as a deterrent or in limiting
supply, use or popularity of the herb. Prohibition most adversely impacts on
two groups frequently targeted by police: our young (Maori in particular), and
the sick.
While the public hear a lot about the supposed harms of cannabis use, the fact
remains that the costs and social harms of prohibition have not been
acknowledged by the powers-that-be. This suppression of discussion represents
a new low in Parliament's disservice to New Zealand, allowing a bogus law to
inflict its damage under a cone of silence.
It is worth noting that both the new Drug Driving and Criminal Proceeds
(Recovery) Bills will cast horribly wide revenue-generating nets while
simultaneously adding to the social costs of prohibition.
"Parliament is so wrong to be building legislation on top of a fundamentally
flawed and counter-productive prohibition foundation."
The ALCP would like to see NGOs and ministries such as health, justice, social
development, and customs also participating in resolving 'the most appropriate
legal status for cannabis.' The pained silence to date, and total inaction on
cannabis law recommendations from the Health Committee to the Justice Select
Committee - as well as the 'blind eye' of Government's Expert Advisory
Committee on Drugs (EACD) - seems tantamount to having been orchestrated.
Let's all take a 'credibility check' and lift our game in an effort to get past
the fear-mongers and wowsers.
The ALCP have a policy solution; introduction of the highly recommended adult
control 'home grow' model - see http://www.alcp.org.nz/policy.html
Kevin O'Connell 027 265 7064
==ends
Scoop: Cannabis debate puts heat on parliament
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