United New Zealand: No Confidence In Health Select Committee Review Of Cannabis Laws

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says he has no confidence the Health Select Committee can carry out a proper examination of the cannabis laws.

He says the inquiry is just a part of Labour's pay-off to the Greens.

"It will not be an independent, wide ranging expert inquiry, free of political influence."

"Given the soft comments regarding cannabis of the Health Minister and other Government members it leaves the very clear impression that it is more about softening people up for a change in the law, than considering the real issues."

"It will simply not be credible, and will therefore be a waste of time," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne is yet to be convinced that there needs to be a further review of the existing laws, but says that if there is, it should be an independent one involving expert participation from law enforcement agencies, treatment providers, educationalists, youth and ethnic representatives.

"Anything less leaves the inevitable impression that the select committee is just another example of this Government using a pliant device to rubber-stamp its own pre-determined prejudices in favour of a softer attitude to cannabis,' Mr Dunne says.

ENDS

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