Otago drug-driving researcher calls for decriminalisation

Monday 15 October 2007 - Media release - Dunedin Policy Group

The Otago University Medical School researcher at the centre of
controversy about drugged driving has called for cannabis to be
decriminalised.

Professor David Fergusson of Otago University's Christchurch Health and
Development last week publicised findings showing that people who said
they had driven under the influence of cannabis reported a 1.4 times
greater risk of having a minor accident, whereas people who said they had
driven while drunk had no increased risk.

Despite the finding, when interviewed by Abe Gray, an Otago University
postgraduate student who chairs the Dunedin Policy Group, an on-campus
organisation devoted to greater understanding of science and public
policy, Fergusson said, "I'm against prohibition. I don't think there
should be a criminal penalty for adult personal use and possession".

"Prohibition doesn't work. It hasn't worked historically. We know that."
added Professor Fergusson.

"It's highly encouraging to hear such a logical call for reason from one
of New Zealand's most respected researchers," said Mr. Gray.

"The message here is that education works, but prohibition doesn't."

"It's time we got over our prejudices and started listening to some of the
more educated members of
our society like Professor Fergusson. It's time to decriminalise
cannabis," said Mr. Gray.

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