Pubdate: Fri, 15 Dec 2000
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2000
Contact:  P.O. Box 181, 52-66 Lower Stuart Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
Website: http://www2.odt.co.nz
Author: Duncan Eddy
Note: Headline supplied by newshawk

CRIMINALISATION DAMAGES HEALTH OF CANNABIS USERS

CERTAIN MEDICAL authorities appear to harbour serious misunderstanding 
concerning the upcoming health select committee inquiry into cannabis. Prof 
Robin Taylor said it would be peculiar if the Government didn't consider 
the health effects of cannabis in its decriminalisation deliberations ( 
ODT, 27.11.00). It would be peculiar, indeed, if the health committee 
overlooked the health effects of cannabis. I doubt if this will happen.

The same article also mentioned that the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation 
of New Zealand will be making a submission against decriminalisation based 
on the findings of the study. I find this odd, considering the heavy toll 
that criminalisation takes on one's mental and physical health, and even 
more odd considering that the criminalisation of cannabis users failed to 
stop over 52% of the study group members from smoking pot during the 
previous year.

Duncan Eddy, National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Dunedin
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