Mild Greens say that discussions on a range of “cost savings measures” for the NZ Police should start with removing the inequitable prohibition on cannabis - and redundancy of at least half the police force.

Blair Anderson and Kevin O’Connell were critical of Police Minister Hawkins for not advocating his government’s “drug law reform” position, recognising that prohibition was corrupt and unsustainable.

Police are on the most powerful grift in New Zealand, thanks to the trouble and criminality of the black market. New Zealanders illegally consume in the range of 100 to 200 tonnes of ganja, every year - and the police have unmistakable self-interest in the earnings to be made from prohibition.

There was a compelling link between the criminal enforcement of marijuana and the resources required for crime prevention ( 7:1 resourcing ratio : Professor Pennington - Premier’s Drugs Advisory Council & Raymond Kendall - INTERPOL, 1996).

“Prohibition does not have a positive effect on human behaviour - or public expenditure.”

Labour made a resolution at its 1998 conference to undertake a commission of inquiry into the laws pertaining to the growth, possession and consumption of marijuana. “The commission of inquiry should look into the criminal, social and economic consequences of such growth, possession and consumption of marijuana. It should also take into account overseas experiences.” (see: http://www.alcp.org.nz/remit.jpg)

In a resounding show of political correctness, cannabis law reform was absent from Labour’s annual conference last weekend, despite the issue being open for submissions, and requiring resolution in this Parliamentary term.

The Mild Greens advocate a science strategy for cannabis related harm minimisation - and have asked Science Minister Pete Hodgeson for its implementation.

The failure to move beyond prohibition is a crime against the community, say the Mild Greens.

Blair Anderson, Kevin O'Connell - ph 643 389 4065

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