Turner: We won't play games over cannabis

United Future has welcomed Justice Minister Phil Goff's reaffirming in Parliament today of the binding agreement the Government has with United Future ruling out any cannabis law change this term.

"It was a very timely statement by Mr Goff, coming as it did the day before the release of the Health Select Committee report on cannabis," Mrs Turner said.

"And mischievous talk of member's bills on cannabis is just that - mischievous. We're not interested in playing hypothetical politics.

"However, it would be fair to say that the Government won't die wondering where United Future stands on this issue - and clearly we would expect the spirit of this key condition of the confidence and supply agreement to be honoured under all circumstances.

"The Government has seen fit to block vote on matters such as anti-smoking legislation now before the House, so where there's a will, there's a way.

"We drew a line in the sand 12 months ago and nothing has changed. The drug is no less dangerous to our young people today than it was a year ago, and it is no less a gateway to harder drugs, such as P," she said.

"We're not losing sleep over the prospect of a member's bill, but it's pretty clear what our expectation would be, and we - and middle New Zealand - would intend to see that delivered upon by the Government."

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