cannabisnews.com: Govt Review on Cannabis Likely Soon Govt Review on Cannabis Likely Soon Posted by FoM on March 16, 2000 at 12:43:34 PT By Helen Bain in Wellington Source: The Press Online The Government will review the legal status of cannabis this term of Parliament, Health Minister Annette King says. If the review recommended decriminalising cannabis, legislation would almost certainly be dealt with by a conscience vote, Ms King said yesterday. While Labour was not committed to decriminalisation, it supported the recommendation of the health select committee inquiry last year into the mental health effects of cannabis - that its legal status should be reviewed, Ms King said. The Health Ministry would prepare a paper on the matter for her, hopefully this year. "It has not been on the immediate horizon because of other priorities, but in this term of Government we will certainly review it." In January, Ms King and Justice Minister Phil Goff were briefed by health and police officials from South Australia, where cannabis for personal use was dealt with by "expiation notices". Personal use there was punished by instant fines of $75 to $100, and offenders did not receive criminal convictions. "They have had it for 10 years and it has worked well," Ms King said. "I sat through all the hearings on the select committee and there was some pretty powerful evidence that the criminal status, the legal status, of marijuana was also seen to be a cause of one of the problems that young people have," she said. "With mental health problems it was seen to have caused a lot of pressure on young people. There was seen to be a double standard by older people who drink and smoke, but tell them they shouldn't smoke marijuana," Ms King said. Prime Minister Helen Clark said she favoured partial decriminalisation, and said high-profile cases where parliamentary staff were suspected of smoking cannabis highlighted the need for change. Ms Clark said current laws bred disrespect for the law and imposed punishment out of proportion to the crime. Legislation decriminalising cannabis could win the support of Parliament. National Health spokesman Wyatt Creech said National had previously taken a conservative line on cannabis, but was reviewing its policy. Its caucus would invite people with a range of views to talk to them about the issue before forming a policy. Mr Creech said National did not want to send a soft message, but instant fines without criminal convictions might be a more appropriate way of dealing with cannabis. NZ First MP Ron Mark, who has called for compulsory cannabis testing of all MPs and their staff, said NZ First MPs would all vote against proposed legislation to decriminalise cannabis. The Green Party supports legalisation of possession of cannabis for personal use by adults. The Alliance supports the select committee recommendation, and wants public debate on the issue. ACT justice spokesman Stephen Franks said ACT was still working through several issues before deciding its policy on cannabis. New Zealand News from The Press - Friday, March 17, 2000Related Articles:Aust Trip To Review Drug Lawshttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4415.shtmlMS Sufferers Welcome Drug Movehttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4094.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on March 16, 2000 at 15:01:23 PT: Thank God for the Kiwis! Partly because their actions are proving a favorite hypothesis of mine; the further you are from Washington DC, the more likely you are to retain your sanity and freedoms. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: