Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2003
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Ruth Berry

MPS WANT SEARCH POWER AXED

Police should be stripped of their powers to search for and seize cannabis 
without a warrant as evidence suggests they may be abusing them, MPs 
investigating use of the drug say.

The Government should also inquire into allegations that police 
discriminate against Maori when investigating cannabis offences, the health 
select committee said yesterday in its report on cannabis.

It was unable to agree on whether cannabis should be decriminalised, but 
has kept that issue alive by referring it to the justice and electoral 
select committee.

The Government has ruled out decriminalisation of cannabis this 
parliamentary term as part of a confidence and supply deal signed with 
United Future.

Green MP Nandor Tanczos said yesterday that he believed the new inquiry 
would bring a recommendation for law reform, hopefully before the next 
election.

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said it was well known that Prime 
Minister Helen Clark and other senior Government ministers were reform 
advocates.

Helen Clark declined to comment on the report yesterday. Committee 
chairwoman Steve Chadwick, a Labour MP who favours cannabis reform, said 
the majority of the committee had been concerned by evidence presented that 
suggested police were misusing their powers to search and seize without a 
warrant.

The committee has asked the justice and electoral committee to consider the 
issue.

It also wants the expert advisory committee to consider reclassifying the drug.

The search powers would be removed if a lower classification were given.

The number of searches without warrants undertaken by police over the past 
10 years had more than doubled to nearly 5000 in 2001 and 83 per cent of 
those searches were related to cannabis offences.

The committee also recommended that the Government "follow up allegations 
that the police discriminate against Maori" as highlighted by a study and 
other evidence presented to the committee, Ms Chadwick said. A police 
spokeswoman said the police would consider the report before responding to it.

During hearings, however, police disputed allegations of bias against Maori.

The committee has also recommended the Government "pursue the possibility 
of supporting the prescription of clinically tested cannabis products for 
medicinal purposes".

That decision rests with Health Minister Annette King.

Her spokesman said the minister was awaiting the results of trials being 
done in Britain before deciding.

The trials, examining the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for a 
wide range of health problems, are expected to be completed by the end of 
the year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom