Nandor thanks Anderton, reissues challenge

Green MP Nandor Tanczos thanked Jim Anderton for hosting a debate on cannabis law reform in Wigram last night, and issued a challenge to other prohibitionist MPs to debate the issue in their own area.

Last night, a full house people packed the St Peters Parish Centre in the Wigram electorate to hear Nandor debate with Mr Anderton whether cannabis should be decriminalised.

"It was a very lively debate. Jim and I agree very strongly about what we are trying to achieve, which is to minimise the harm caused by cannabis abuse in New Zealand," said Nandor, the Green spokesperson for Cannabis Law Reform.

"However, we will continue to disagree about whether the best way to achieve it is by arresting responsible adult cannabis users.

"Hats off to Jim for giving the people of Wigram a chance to hear both sides of the debate and make up their own minds.

"He's one of the few prohibitionists who's prepared to publicly front up and defend their position, rather than just putting out nasty press releases or drawing cartoons. Sadly, no other MPs have yet had the courage of their convictions.

"It's weird that retaining the criminalisation of 22,000 New Zealanders per year for cannabis has become a bottom line issue for one party, yet they are not prepared to publicly debate this.

"It's that position that has maintained the gateway effect of prohibition by keeping cannabis underground and in the hands of gang members. The current P epidemic is at least partly the result of that.

"To refuse to debate because my presence would 'lower house values' is an abdication of responsibility and an insult to electors. I repeat my open challenge. I will debate the issue of cannabis law reform, with any MP, at any mutually convenient time, and in any place," said Nandor.

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