2 March 2006

P-laced cannabis highlights need for law reform

Recent reports from Auckland Police of young people being given P-laced cannabis by drug dealers highlight the need to separate cannabis supply from the hard drug market, Green Party Alcohol and Drugs Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

"This predatory trend is deeply concerning, and highlights why the Greens have been arguing that rational regulation of cannabis is needed to separate it from harder and more dangerous drugs. If the only way that people can access cannabis is via hard core drug dealers, they are increasingly vulnerable to being forced into taking harder drugs and suffering all the terrible problems that result," Mrs Turei says.

Recent reports show that cannabis remains the third most popular drug in New Zealand despite its legal status.

"The prohibition of cannabis enables drug dealers to use it as a means to abuse young people, and the impacts of this abuse cannot be underestimated. The Say No to P Hikoi that came to Parliament last week highlighted the awful consequences for families.

"Regulating cannabis use to separate it from hard drugs and the dangerous criminals who sell them is one thing we can do to reduce these consequences and prevent young people from unwittingly getting caught up in the destructive cycle of hard drug addiction," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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