Tue, 03 Sep 2002

NZ First MPs Anti-Tanczos Statements "Cretinous And Discriminatory"

The Mild Greens say Parliament's conservative anti-cannabis MPs, such as NZ First's Craig McNair, are demonstrating pig-ignorance about criminalisation-related harm, and the legitimate case for cannabis law reform.

Mr McNair and the other bigot pandering MP's should "get their heads around" Parliament's 1998 report on the mental health effects of prohib..er, cannabis - and repeated recommendations to review the law.

McNair particularly needs to take note of the unanimous conclusion on page 39, pointing to double standards surrounding cannabis being "an impediment to effective anti-drug education". Maintaining the alcohol/tobacco/cannabis hypocrisy guarantees the majority of free-spirited young New Zealanders will reject the bullying prohibitionist value system and ignore all health promotion efforts.

Cannabis may adversely affect young peoples' education, however its moderate use by adults cannot in any way be reasonably justified as "criminal". Sadly, thus, the criminalisation approach is never going to achieve any thing but the Matrix of Alienation, and maximised drug misuse (including alcohol…)

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Phil Goff wants to put ever more resources into reducing youth offending and creating safer communities, but where is his Government's analysis of the appropriateness of existing policy on cannabis and its use??? - stalled before the Health Select Committee for seven months pre-election - and now sitting on the table awaiting the decision to continue, but in a climate of suppression and public bigotry.

Shame on Labour for capitulating its commitment to evidence-based, equitable cannabis policy, and dumbing down the debate by selling out to Peter Dunne and the United Cretin party with "no legislation on cannabis", before the inquiry has been properly concluded.

Labour has all to easily taken evasive action on the "legislative implication" that any genuine cost-benefit-equity analysis of cannabis policy holds. "So much for Helen Clark's empty promise of a fair, tolerant and intelligent society".

Far from being a poor role model, Nandor is perhaps young New Zealanders only hope, because he is conscientious about turning around the evils of prohibition and its contempt for the public good.

While crusty MPs like McNair collect $350 a day for spouting prejudice and denigrating Nandor and the country's estimated half-million cannabis consumers, NZs parliament is a human rights disgrace, and the NZ public sadly beguiled.

"Who is really running NZ?" ask the Mild Greens, "New Zealanders, or George W. Bush with his terrorising 13 billion-dollar War on Drugs"

Ms Clark is so concerned about the human rights abuses of Robert Mugabe, but where is her concern about New Zealanders booted off their land and imprisoned for holding views contrary to the current political climate?

It's enough to make you want to vote Libertarian.

Mild Green Initiatives phone ++64 3 389-4065 http://www.mildgreens.com mailto:initiatives@mildgreens.com

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