Cannabis a Non Issue at Waitangi Celebrations

Green MP Nandor Tanczos today said cannabis use would not be encouraged at this year's One Love New Zealand Day celebrations at Point England.

Tanczos, who will be the MC at the Waitangi Day reggae concert, was responding to comments by Auckland city councillor Bill Christian, alleging that Tanczos would be promoting cannabis use at the concert.

"Once again I wish to make it perfectly clear that nobody involved with hosting or organising this event will be promoting the use of cannabis," said Mr Tanczos.

"There seems to be a great deal of confusion over my position on this issue. I do not promote or encourage the use of cannabis, rather I have argued that cannabis should be a health issue rather than a justice issue.

"I will not be mentioning cannabis at this concert," he said.

Mr Tanczos said the concert, which has run annually since 1995, has always been a peaceful and family-friendly affair.

"I wish to personally reassure Mr Christian that cannabis and cannabis use will not be promoted at this event. This concert is to celebrate Waitangi Day. Cannabis and the use of cannabis is a non-issue as far as we are concerned," he said.

Mr Tanczos thanked Mr Christian again for allowing the event to be held at Point England and invited him to call him if there were any further issues he could clarify.

"This concert is going to be a great day for the diverse range of people who will attend and I would like to personally invite Mr Christian to come along and see what it is all about," he said.

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