Ellis convicted - no victim, no crime says ALCP

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Marc Ellis convicted no victim, no crime says ALCP

Marc Ellis' main problem appears to be the hypocritical, dysfunctional prohibition laws. The same can arguably be said for our whole community.

Mr Ellis apologised publicly outside court last Friday for attempting to buy 5 ecstasy tablets. His apology was apparently to reinforce, to all the young people he is a role model for, that drug use is 'wrong' and that he'd made a very serious mistake.

The ALCP, however, says it is unhealthy to deny the fact that a vast number of people from all walks of life use and enjoy recreational drugs moderately and responsibly.
The culture of recreational drugs should be brought out into the open and accepted as an adult activity. It is prohibition that is the very serious mistake.

New Zealand s cannabis community is estimated, from research and official surveys undertaken here, to be as large as half a million strong. The number of people taking ecstasy rose significantly from 1.5% in 1998 to 3.4% in 2001.

We d all be so much better off without the pretence, denial, hypocrisy, bullying and criminalisation of users. Why does the media so often only present the apologist point of view?

New Zealand needs to question whether it is wise to treat adults like children whilst expecting children to behave like adults, especially when the law is protecting no one.

Most of the Cannabis Party management say they have never actually dabbled in ecstasy, but don t believe its use is a crime - or even necessarily a 'mistake' - any more than a night out on the booze. In fact it would probably be much safer, particularly if there was a system with quality control and health guidelines, and a consistent age of consent.

''People generally like and use drugs such as ecstasy and alcohol because they are fun'', say the ALCP.''No victim, no crime.''

We sympathise with Marc Ellis as we sympathise with all New Zealanders who have had to endure a drug arrest and conviction. In a more enlightened society we wouldn t all be force-fed the hypocritical line that all drugs but alcohol and tobacco are immoral and dangerous, when clearly a considerable number of us don t really think so. The double standard is damaging our young people because it has broken down the trust they might otherwise have in the system.

Get over it, New Zealand.

ENDS

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