"Prohibition is a National evil" say ALCP candidates, Blair Anderson and Kevin O Connell, warning voters against the
moral posture and pseudo-leadership of the National government. The comments follow the youth affairs Minister's facile
dismissal of the need to review chronically outdated cannabis laws.
There is a real community concern about young minds "gone to pot", but prohibition gurantees maximum uptake, say the
candidates. "We especially don t want kids smoking marijuana either, but making 300 criminals a day sends an incredibly
contradictory message to young people".- PROHIBITION IS THE GATEWAY, and the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party commend
Labour's Tim Barnett for his dogged determination to present the evidence on this issue.
Labour knows that that the existing legal status is a farce, and has announced an intention to review it. There is no
doubt that a review will result in liberalisation, with credible health interventions, say ALCP members- and castigation
of ministers for maintaining the lie of the century. The Youth Affairs minister talks about the need for boundaries and
leadership. "We suggest an age of consent consistent with alcohol & tobacco, ... and Ryall s resignation."
Ryall is trotting out the tired old hypocritical and intellectual deceit about "sending the wrong message"- while they
keep destroying young lives with criminal records and expulsions, said Mr O Connell, "and jailing medicinal users". At
least one such victim is suffering in Rolleston prison on a 9 month sentence, for merely growing his own.
"We want Neville Yates released now, and his jailers trialled for human rights abuse" say the Christchurch Branch of the
ALCP. The responsiblilty for this deplorable crime rests on Justice Minister Ryall. Meanwhile, Ilam electorate's
substantially poor excuse for representation, Gerry Brownlee has washed his hands of Neville' s plight, saying that
despite sympathising, he "believes cannabis use and cultivation is a crime" [July letter to Chch. branch ALCP].
"Ryall, Brownlee and their ilk are a serious threat to New Zealanders, young and old", said Blair Anderson- Government
exploits a belief system that bears no relation to reality or Christianity, and perpetuates intolerance,
misappropriation and misery. "Our primary election goal is to witness the demise of the National evil in time for the
millenium sunrise".
The ALCP claims success in encouraging reformist policy from the other leading contenders: Labour, Alliance, Greens, and
Liberterianz, and the unanimous recommendations of the Health Select Committee. With a majority of MPs sitting silently
on the fence however, it is hoped that political safety will be punished with appropriate severity in the up and coming
election.
While a law review looks certain, it is expected that a full Commission of Inquiry will sort out weeds like Ryall and
Brownlee, and ensure victims of the Misuse of Drugs Act are compensated for the great injustice inflicted by the
repressive National legacy.