Cannabis Reform Must Be Brought Out Of The Abstract

The Government must not leave cannabis law reform hanging in the abstract, said ACT Justice spokesman Stephen Franks.

The School Trustees Association and National MP Nick Smith launched a nationwide petition today to get cannabis decriminalisation taken off the agenda. The petition will be circulated to all of New Zealand’s 2700 schools and will be presented to Parliament in October.

“ACT supports the Trustees initiative, as reports suggest drugs are already reaching our children at alarming rates. But it is unfair this action has been forced by Government efforts to appease the Greens and a particular constituency.

“I believe cannabis law reform should be supported, but it must be part of a package that ensures that the School Trustees concerns are met. We can’t do that without a detailed legislative proposal to assess.

“Helen Clark put the ball in the air by signalling she favoured decriminalisation, but has left the field without even telling her own team what game they are playing.

“Factors like health and educational effects, child access, driving impairment and third party safety issues need to be covered. It seems clear the Government has not thought about these issues.

“School Trustees should not have been forced to do this. Already short parental time could be used constructively in so many other areas,” said Stephen Franks.

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