16 September 2005

Cannabis reform "not a single issue"

People often say to us "I sympathise with the cause, but you're only a single issue party".

"Single issue" does not do the cannabis reform issue justice. The ALCP minimum programme impacts beneficially across all areas of governance. In areas of health, education, justice, law and order, race relations, economy and environment, we are freeing up money spent on repression and failure, and fixing what's broken.

The party has recently refined its Intersectorial Policy to demonstrate how our minimum program applies across the policy spectrum. We invite you to see how our programme covers all the bases. http://www.alcp.org.nz/intersectorial.htm

Young people need credible information and realistic health messages. Under the present system they are getting neither and it shows. The Party advocates R18 legal regulation for cannabis recreational use, with 'health promotion' information and education, and safer modes of use such as 'vaporisation' so as to minimise health risks, as well as better access to health support for those who run into problems with their cannabis use.

Our policy ends double standards (with alcohol and tobacco), and immediately creates a credible basis for effective health promotion in general.

52% of surveyed New Zealanders aged between 15 and 45 have tried cannabis. Kiwis deserve a law and order policy which recognises that 'prohibition' is a total failure - alienating and dividing families, creating criminals on a grand scale, and empowering organised crime.

Legal regulation will dramatically cut crime, and restore respect, trust and wellbeing back to the people of New Zealand.

Our policy also promotes the broad use of hemp as a valuable and much needed new sustainable environmentally friendly resource. Cannabis-hemp can be a great ecological solution for uses such as bio-ethanol and bio-diesel, paper, textiles, building materials, biodegradable packaging, and valuable nutritious food source from the thc-free seed.

In a world faced with crisis after crisis, New Zealand needs to be prepared. Here is a multi-faceted cash crop that can immediately bring NZ healthy environments, cheaper fuel, and masses of tax revenue and carbon credits.

We call on unregistered voters to enrol, and all voters, whether they 'consume' cannabis or not, to stand up for your rights this Saturday.

ENDS

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