Pubdate: Wed, 30 Aug 2000 Source: Press, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2000 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd. Contact: Private Bag 4722, Christchurch, New Zealand Fax: +64-3-364-8238 Website: http://www.press.co.nz/ Author: Elinore Wellwood YOUTH MPS VOTE AGAINST CANNABIS BILL Three Christchurch youth MPs who voted for decriminalising cannabis are likely to get an early lesson on taking the heat after speaking out on their views. The three were among 120 young people who replaced their adult MPs for two days in Wellington where, in a surprising move, the Youth Parliament voted against a mock Cannabis (Partial Decriminalisation for Personal Use) Bill by 69-47. The three said most young people supported partial decriminalisation but voted against the bill because of technical problems, including because it was badly worded. "Mrs Shipley will probably spew," said her representative, Heath Walters, 17. He said present laws were clearly not working and change was needed. Courtenay Mackie, 17, who represented Green MP Rod Donald, said: "Watch my principal hit the roof." Miss Mackie said she voted in favour of decriminalisation because it could initiate debate on a serious issue. While young people should not be allowed to smoke it, cannabis should be treated the same as tobacco and alcohol, she said. Sam McGoldrick, 18, said he supported decriminalisation because experimenting was part of growing up. Teenagers should not have to carry a conviction for the rest of their lives because of a youthful fling with cannabis. - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase