==================================
NORML New Zealand Online News Service
==================================
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY NORML CLUB

23 August 2000

Media Release For Immediate Use

Victoria University Students Support Cannabis Law Reform

Nandor Tanczos MP today congratulated V. U. W. Student's Association for getting involved in the cannabis debate and encouraged students to make submissions to the cannabis law review.

"Tell the MP's how prohibition affects you, your friends and your families. Most of those people (MP's) have no idea what prohibition really means for people on the street. They have never been stopped and searched by the cops, they've never been busted. Let them know what it feels like" said Mr Tanczos.

Mr Tanczos was speaking to students at the VUWSA AGM today at which students voted overwhelmingly (84-7) for the VUWSA to endorse and sign the Coalition for Cannabis Law Reform's "Cannabis Law Reform and Education Accord" and support the NZ Drug Policy Forum Trust's proposal to regulate and tax cannabis.

"By supporting the NZ DPFT proposal and endorsing the CCLR accord we are sending a clear message to Parliament that New Zealander's are ready for a change in the cannabis laws and support the MP's in tackling this important issue" said Vic NORML Club convener, Ben Knight.

"While the likes of the Education Accord and MP Nick Smith are attempting to derail the public debate on this issue, the truth of the matter is that they have lost the support of the New Zealand public. The recent UMR poll which showed over 60% of New Zealanders support cannabis law reform is further proof that those MP's and parties who oppose a law change are treading on dangerous and unpopular ground" He added.

ENDS

Contact: Ben Knight 025 377509

================================================
National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, NZ Inc.

Website: http://www.norml.org.nz Email: norml@apc.org.nz Subscribe to NORML News Online! Send mailto:norml@apc.org.nz with 'subscribe' [or 'unsubscribe'] in subject line

60 Queen Street Auckland New Zealand PO Box 3307 Shortland St Auckland 1015 Ph +64 9 302-5255 Fax +64 9 303-1309

© Scoop Media