Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Mild Greens deliver Class D Drug solution.

Press release: All Media 3 March, 2000

Mild Greens deliver Class D Drug solution.

Christchurch Legalisers have recommended that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 be amended to accommodate Class D restricted drugs. The move would be "in anticipation of a probable shift in the legal status of cannabis".

Cannabis party members say that Parliament's marijuana law review will necessitate the removal of marijuana from Class C criminal status, within a "health promotion context"

The ALCP Christchurch Branch's advice on the Misuse of Drugs Act Amendment Bill #4, draws upon the 1998 Health Select Committee Cannabis Inquiry recommendations. Christchurch Branch officials said the submission "proposed real solutions, and was an exceptional evidence-based protocol for limiting drug-related harm."

The protocol would establish an independent and trustworthy Drugs Advisory Committee to review and monitor drug interventions, for expeditious scheduling of emerging drug threats, "beyond prohibition".

The submission questions the number of hours spent on criminal enforcement of cannabis (923,000pa), and describes the Misuse of Drugs Act, as "evidentially somewhat dysfunctional and crooked."

The Mild Greens last Boxing Day, set fire to the Misuse of Drugs Act in the Christchurch City Mall, in a ceremonial show of protest against the workings of this legislation.

Policy analyst, Kevin O'Connell said that the principal Act may yet be resurrected from the ashes, and redeem itself, "if a system of unbiased and expert review and monitoring of drug dangers and interventions is established". This would be in line with Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party policy.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The submission, drafted by Mr O'Connell and council candidate Blair Anderson, suggests that "harm reduction" philosophy handling drug substitution, and safer delivery mechanisms must be considered when weighing up drug related-harm, and would necessitate a "non-punitive" approach to certain normalised drugs.

The 2 page document builds upon advice from the ALCP on the Alcohol Advisory Council Amendment Bill, 1999, also currently under the scrutiny of the Health Select Committee.

Blair Anderson who is the ALCP council candidate for the Christchurch Shirley Ward by-election, said that legalisers inspired by some good batting from Green MP Nandor Tanzcos have "advanced the policy analytic standard to the point where reform was now inevitable".

http://www.alcp.org.nz Blair Anderson, Kevin O'Connell (03) 389 4065

=======================30=========================

Blair Anderson mailto:blair@technologist.com

Electorate Candidate, Shirley Ward By Election, Christchurch City Council http://www.alcp.org.nz/candidates/blair

Electorate Strategist, Christchurch Branch, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Media Center - phone ++64 3 389-4065 Web site http://www.alcp.org.nz


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.