Pubdate: Mon, 28 Feb 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: Mike Bruce CHALICE 'SHRINE TO CANNABIS SMOKERS' Christchurch's Chalice will become a shrine to cannabis smokers nationwide, says the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. Blair Anderson, ALCP candidate for the Shirley ward by-election, lauded the controversial 18m-high sculpture proposed for Cathedral Square, likening it to a huge "cannabis trumpet". "The giant cone would be an icon to the legalisation of marijuana. The icon would celebrate a long overdue community reform," Mr Anderson said. The leaves which form the inverted conical structure have serrated edges similar to a cannabis plant which would make the sculpture a drawcard for marijuana smokers nationwide, possibly worldwide. "The money is relatively well invested in such an attractive and appropriate design and will draw millions to our city." He pointed out the irony that the $343,000 cost of the sculpture was about the same as the direct daily cost of police and justice resources required to enforce cannabis prohibition. The Chalice received its final stamp of approval when an independent commissioner granted it resource consent to be erected in the south-western corner of Cathedral Square. - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto