Don't smoke pot and drive: Nandor

The Greens are today repeating their call for the use of cannabis when driving or operating machinery to be banned.

Kaitaia Coroner Robin Fountain yesterday called for cannabis use before operating machinery to be specifically prohibited. He made the recommendation when delivering his finding that the skipper's use of the drug may have been a factor in the sinking of the fishing boat Iron Maiden last year.

"The message is pretty simple, don't smoke pot before using dangerous machinery, including cars and boats," Green Drug Policy Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos says.

"The Greens say that, in the interests of safety, drug laws should be more consistent. So we have always supported testing drivers for cannabis impairment, as happens now for alcohol.

"And that's why we support developing accurate testing procedures that can measure actual impairment rather than just whether someone has used cannabis in the last few days.

"I also echo the call of the EPMU that there is already legislation covering workplaces and employers concerned about these issues should be focusing on constructive dialogue and education with their employees rather than invasive testing and retribution," Nandor says.

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