29 April 2005

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

No room to liberalize cannabis law given empirical evidence

There is no room to liberalize cannabis law given the empirical and medical evidence of its harm and potential harm, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

"The Progressive Party's position on cannabis law is the same as our position on releasing GE into the food chain. It is best to adopt a precautionary approach while there is no scientific consensus that it is totally safe.

"When it comes to public health, it is always better to be safe than sorry later.

"We see daily a pathetic spectacle of individual Labour, ACT and Green politicians competing with each other to court the cannabis liberalization lobby.

"There is no room for Parliamentarians who are motivated by empirical evidence, however, to support any move at all toward liberalization while any doubt remains about its potential negative health effects, particularly on the most vulnerable young," Matt Robson said.

"In September's election, a party vote for the Progressives is a party vote for science over prejudice and vote for public health over irresponsible wooly headedness," the Progressive MP said.

The MP was responding to yet another report today suggesting that some cannabis-using teenagers are highly likely to develop mental health problems as adults because of their genetic make-up, although the report also suggests that the evidence at the moment is that most may face little risk.

Other studies have already identified a connection between cannabis and psychotic behaviour.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10122930

ENDS

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