As Parliament fought a tough battle for standardising the legal drinking age at 18, the ALCP say that the outcome is not so important as the argument by which it was won.

Christchurch cannabis law reform lobbyists who got their teeth into the crucial conscience vote, acknowledged that Parliament made the right decision based on harm reduction to the problem of teens and alcohol.

The ALCP have challenged health interests including the Drug Foundation who lobbied against lowering the age, “to accept that the proper decision has been made by Parliament, for the good of all New Zealanders, young and old”. They have forgotten that prohibition hypocrisy has a negative effect on youth risk taking behaviors.

It was the Alliance who appeared to have got their head alongside issues, with strong speeches from Matt Robson, Phillida Bunkle and Liala Harre, who must surely now be prime contender for Youth Affairs in the new Parliament. Notably it was Harre’s speech at the end of 24 or so on the legal age vote, who clinched the deal by linking youth issues. “whether its sex, drugs or booze, young people will do it anyway in spite of sanctimonious attitudes.”

We applaud the honesty of those who realised that legislation should be consistent with reality. The legislative implication for marijuana is now set for the new millennium, said Blair Anderson, and Kevin O’Connell. “Just to make sure, the ALCP will intensify its campaign for comprehensive and consistent drug policy, free of double standards.”

ENDS

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