Pubdate: Sat, 13 Sep 2014
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Author: Peter Tashkoff
Page: A18

CALL TO DECRIMINALISE CANNABIS DEFIES COMMON SENSE

In the face of a medical report highlighting the damage the drug does 
to the young, Laila Harre's calls to decriminalise cannabis in order 
to reduce its use flies in the face of common sense as well as being 
contrary to recent direct experience that we have had in this country.

The same voices that are calling today for the decriminalisation of 
cannabis also argued for the free availability of legal highs.

That free availability of legal highs did not result in reduced 
usage; it had completely the opposite effect, the results of which 
are still being felt in broken homes, sundered relationship and 
damaged lives around our country.

The rhetoric all sounds great, but the reality is different as we 
have seen by bitter experience. Ms Harre's renewed calls to 
decriminalise the drug, against evidence, experience and plain common 
sense is nothing more than populist vote-buying with her party's 
target audience, the young and vulnerable of our country.

PETER TASHKOFF

Auckland
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom