Pubdate: Sun, 04 Sep 2005
Source: Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Sunday Star-Times
Contact:  http://www.sundaystartimes.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1064
Author: Helen Bain
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

NO NUKES IS GOOD NEWS, SAY THE VOTERS

"Don't go there!" voters are warning political parties who intend to
change New Zealand's nuclear-free legislation or decriminalise
cannabis. The BRC/Sunday Star-Times poll of 985 voters, conducted last
month, found significant opposition to changing the nuclear or
cannabis laws suggesting the National Party and the Greens risk losing
support if they pursue those policy areas.

The poll found 57 per cent of voters wanted to keep the nuclear-free
stance, and 27 per cent thought a referendum should be held. Only 13
per cent thought nuclear-propelled ships should be allowed to visit.

Support for the anti-nuclear policy was higher among women (66 per
cent compared to 47 per cent of men) and young people (66 per cent of
18 to 29-year-olds).

Strongest support came from young women (80 per cent) and Labour
supporters (79 per cent).

A third of National supporters thought the anti-nukes policy should
stay, 24 per cent thought nuclear-propelled ships should be allowed to
visit, and 40 per cent backed a referendum.

In the same poll, 55 per cent of voters said New Zealand's law on
cannabis should not be changed, and 37 per cent said cannabis should
be decriminalised, suggesting a similar vulnerability for the
pro-decriminalisation Greens.

The Greens' policy is to allow possession of cannabis for personal use
by those aged 18 and over. Their slogan says, "It's a health issue,
not a crime."

The Greens say the existing law does not reduce drug use, but drives
cannabis underground, "turns cannabis users into criminals" and wastes
about $20 million in police resources every year.

It says more drug education and treatment would be more
effective.

Support for decriminalisation was strongest among younger voters, who
are highly represented among Green supporters at 45 per cent of 18 to
29-year-olds.

In the Star-Times' Great Morality Debate, only 10 per cent of the
nearly 10,000 people who responded to the survey supported
decriminalisation of cannabis, while 33 per cent supported "limited"
decriminalisation.

The demotion of drugs spokesman Nandor Tanczos, a Rastafarian who uses
cannabis, down the Greens list this election has been attributed to
discomfort among some in the party at his pro-cannabis stance, and
concerns that it might cost the Greens support from parents who don't
want their children getting into drugs.

Tanczos said the Greens decided policy on the basis of what the party
believed in, not on what would win votes, but said the cannabis policy
was not a main theme of the Greens' campaign.

He said his private members' bill to decriminalise cannabis would
punish users with instant fines and would not lead to increased use.

Tanczos said he shared voters' concerns about cannabis abuse and use
by minors, and that his bill addressed those concerns.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin