Legalisation the only solution to drug laws!

Tamaki Independent candidate Stephen Berry is voicing his strong opposition to a report by the Law Commission regarding the Misuse of Drugs Act. The report includes the recommendation that party pill manufacturers be required to prove their product is safe before it can be sold legally. Mr. Berry opposes such a move on moral and practical grounds.

“I consider it offensive, the notion anyone should have to go begging to the government for permission to do any activity that does not violate the rights of others. The trade of drugs between two or more willing parties of adults does not violate the rights of any other individual.”

“Proving that a product has absolutely no harms is like proving there is no God. It is an unrealistic and expensive standard that will crush innovation in the legal drugs market and leave users at the mercy of shoddy practises in the illegal drugs market. When one considers the massive harms already known to be caused by alcohol and tobacco, one must wonder why such a hypocritical standard should apply to other substances.”

Stephen Berry believes it is positive to see the Law Commission advocating non-criminal penalties for first time possession and minor sale offenses, but only as an initial step in the right direction.

“Ultimately we should eventually reach a point where the Government is not fighting a drug war at all. Not only have more people been killed by the war on drugs than by the drugs themselves, but the drug war is a gross violation of the principles of self-ownership, inherent in the life of every individual.”

“I am horrified by the concept of setting up a separate court to deal with drug offenses. Such an act will only add to the greater expense and bureaucracy in administering a grave injustice against New Zealanders.”

Stephen Berry concludes by advocating the full legalisation of all drugs. He believes that the only regulations that should be on drugs relate to the prevention of supply to persons less than 18 years of age.

“If you are an adult, it is your life, your body, your decision. If you decide to take drugs then you are solely responsible for that decision; not the police, not the government and not the public health system. As long as you do not cause harm to another through your use of drugs, it’s nobody else’s bloody business!”

ENDS

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