Pubdate: Tue, 14 Dec 1999
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 1999 The Dominion
Contact:  P O Box 1297, Wellington, New Zealand
Fax: +64 4 474-0350
Website: http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html
Author: Nick Maling

CANNABIS QUESTION UP IN AIR

IF THE fragrant smell of cannabis should waft down Parliament's corridors
of power, police would need permission from the Speaker of [the] House
before smoking out the culprit.

Police were being cagey yesterday about whether or not they would pursue
Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos, who has said he will continue to use
cannabis as part of his Rastafarian religion despite entering Parliament.

A police spokeswoman said possession and use of cannabis was illegal and
anyone who flouted the law risked prosecution. However, the reported
comments of Mr Tanczos did not constitute "sufficient evidence" of an offence.

Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Berry, head of the organised crime unit,
said that he had had "no requests" and "no intention at this stage" of
taking sniffer dogs into Parliament. He said he could not do so without the
permission of, or a request from, the Speaker.

Police Minister George Hawkins said: "I think anyone who breaks the law is
always subject to be charged. But it is something I won't have anything to
do with. There is one law in New Zealand, it doesn't matter whether you are
a member of Parliament or a street kid. It applies equally."

Though he wanted a lot more information before he made up his mind about
decriminalising cannabis, he said that everyone knew that the report by
Parliament's health select committee said cannabis laws should be reviewed.

"I dare say there will be moves with regards to a private member's bill. It
is a fairly complex issue. My own personal feeling is that it is costing a
huge amount of police time at the moment."

When pushed on this point, he said: "I think most New Zealanders are fed up
with the number of burglaries that are happening."

But he said he would not be directing police about the lengths they went to
in prosecuting cannabis users.

Mr Tanczos, who is one of the Green Party's list MPs, has said that though
he has no intention of being intoxicated while involved in any
parliamentary work, he will not give up cannabis.

"I am looking forward to the day when having a joint in your leisure time
is no more scandalous than having a whisky," he said.
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