Pubdate: Sun, 12 Oct 2003 Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003 Contact: http://www.stuff.co.nz/otago Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925 Author: John Gibb Cited: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party http://www.alcp.org.nz/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Nandor+Tanczos Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/New+Zealand SUPPORT FOR PARTIAL CANNABIS DECRIMINALISATION It was "bizarre" that someone's career could be seriously disrupted by a criminal conviction for cannabis possession for personal use, Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson said yesterday. Mr Hodgson, who is also Energy Minister, was one of several speakers at a public forum on cannabis use, attended by about 140 people at the University of Otago last night. Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner was chairwoman. Mr Hodgson said he supported partial decriminalisation of cannabis. Possession for personal use would remain illegal but would be punishable by an automatic fine, not by a criminal conviction. He noted that possession of modest amounts of cannabis for personal use currently had disproportionately serious consequences for some people, including being effectively barred from some professions. He had used cannabis on a few occasions about the time of his university student days, but had experienced blurred vision and had not enjoyed the experience. Any cannabis law reform would generally be subject to a conscience vote by MPs, and he believed partial decriminalisation was unlikely under the current parliament, he said. Green MP Nandor Tanczos said he favoured legalising adult cannabis use but was strongly opposed to any media advertising of cannabis or alcohol. Paul McMullan, an Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidate in Dunedin North, said law reform was urgently needed. Dr Nerida Smith, a university senior lecturer in pharmacology and toxicology, said the cannabis debate was often clouded by emotion. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake