Rasta MP all style, little "substance" say Mild Greens

Christchurch legalisers are mildly critical of Green M.P. Nandor Tanzcos, saying his restrained coverage of New Zealand's perverse marijuana laws suggests constituents may have been beguiled into voting Green, rather than the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.

Mr Tanzcos made his maiden speech in Parliament yesterday, but disappointed supporters by failing to communicate forcefully enough on the cannabis issue. Cannabis law reformers have put faith in the Rasta M.P. to advocate powerfully on their behalf as an elected representative.

"The issue was largely conspicuous by its absence despite being scripted, and the Green Party of Aotearoa look to be struggling to do justice to the sentiment on which they were elected."

Blair Anderson, who is standing for Christchurch City Council in order to highlight community dysfunction and heartache caused by NZ's discriminatory cannabis interventions said: "Nandor missed a prime opportunity to explain why he was editor of NORML news, and why 'outdated and ill-conceived' cannabis laws must be repealed- and the PROHIBITION ENDED NOW".

"By holding back on the big issue while the nation was listening, Nandor unfortunately continued the circumstances of political correctness that have manufactured and maintained the problem".

ALCP strategists expected some analysis from the Greens Justice spokesperson and social ecologist: "The cannabis issue should have been smoking in the House" said Mr Anderson.

Mr Tanzcos talked about the causes of crime, inadequate "penalties", and the suffering caused to victims, but "we would have prefered him to address the victimisation of countless thousands for use of the herb", said Christchurch Branch ("Mild Greens") Convenors, Mike and Irinka Britnell.

With the "alternative lifestyle" presented via a plant worth its weight in gold, the marijuana black market in NZ is estimated to involve consumption rates upward of 200 tonnes per annum, and one sixth of the population. "The insidious social control of zero tolerance generates enough 'crime' to jail every NZ adult 100 times- we're all imprisoned for life by this evil law", say the Mild Greens.

"Every indicator transparently signals that cannabis prohibition is extremely inappropriate, unsustainable, and unacceptable, said research and policy analyst, Kevin O'Connell. However less than 0.1% of Parliament's time has been dedicated to the issue, and this is an indictment of the institution. "Nandor could have fixed the problem in one paragraph - Still we hope that the seed bearing herb will in the very near future get the full 'clean green' attention it deserves". Cannabis liberation as a public health intervention is crucial to achieving environmental and social equity and the "closing of social gaps" (and double standards) say ALCP members. The Mild Greens did acknowledge, nevertheless, that Nandor's speech has stimulated debate. "STOP THE ARRESTS" is the battlecry of the ALCP. An examination of conscience must be made in the House at the earliest opportunity.

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