Julian Crawford's blog

Under MMP, the party holding the balance of power can form the Government with either side of the political spectrum and require the Government to advance their policies.

When the balance of power is held by a single-issue party, the Government has no choice but to offer that party policy-concessions relating to their single-issue. Otherwise that party would not be getting anything in return for supporting the Government.

Operation Ruth in Northland is a reminder of the enormous cost to the taxpayer of the annual cannabis eradication operation.

At the same time police were busy destroying 35,000 cannabis plants, medical marijuana users were struggling to get reliable sources of their medicine.

Many of the 35,000 plants destroyed would have been destined for medical marijuana users and they are the true victims of the war against cannabis.

Police have prophecised that cannabis will never be fully legalised in New Zealand. Last year they revealed plans to continue with cannabis prohibition indefinitely and say future governments will never allow a commercial cannabis industry in this country.

Police National Headquarters covert operations manager Detective Inspector Paul Berry said growing and selling of commercial quantities of cannabis "will always be illegal", ruling out any expectation of cannabis legalisation in the future.