"ACT's vision for zero tolerance for crime is to be welcomed for crimes in which there are discernible victims, but if enacted now it will mean people peacefully producing, consuming and exchanging recreational pharmaceuticals will also face draconian penalties" says Libertarianz Leader and Coromandel Candidate Peter Cresswell, who says that his party cannot support Zero Tolerance until such 'victimless crimes' are removed from the books.

"Currently, people who decide to produce, consume and sell substances such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, LSD and ecstasy to other consenting adults are treated more punitively in many cases than violent criminals. Note that these are voluntary transactions, in which nobody's rights are infringed - there is no victim, and should be no crime.

"As laws against such victimless crimes are on the books," he says, "it will be too early for Zero Tolerance." Libertarianz believes that all adults own their own bodies and have the right to consume, produce and trade in whatever substances people might wish to. All drugs laws are victimless crimes they say, asking: "If you don't own your body, who does?"

"ACT obviously believes it is right for adults to be thrown in prison for what they choose to ingest into their own bodies, that someone growing marijuana is to be treated no different from a rapist. Voters may conclude for themselves whether ACT is a party for individual rights, or a party of populism" concluded Cresswell.

It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz! ENDS

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