Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2005
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DESPERATE OR DOPEY?

Just when it seemed that even the Greens realised that cannabis 
decriminalisation was not an election winner, up pops Nandor Tanczos, 
writes The Press in an editorial.

It is unclear whether his proposed bill is an attempt by the MP, recently 
demoted in the party list, to gain much-needed publicity for himself or a 
desperate branding exercise by the Greens as they chase younger voters.

Either way, for both political and social reasons, the MP and his party 
should have left the issue in the bottom drawer. Politically there is no 
obvious appetite in the electorate for Tanczos's partial decriminalisation 
measure. Indeed, his suggestion comes as the momentum is growing to tighten 
access to another drug by raising the legal drinking age. Socially, despite 
Tanczos's attempt to portray his proposal as moderate and even mainstream, 
most New Zealanders will view it as encouraging drug use, especially among 
younger people.

Then there is his claim that many people have criminal records after being 
caught with just small amounts of cannabis. As Justice Minister Phil Goff 
says, the police can and do exercise discretion in such cases. That is 
where the matter should be left.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom