Decriminalising cannabis would generate money for the Government and ease pressure on New Zealand's courts according to an informal Treasury report. The documents obtained under the Official Information Act by Nelson lawyer Sue Grey came from an internal Treasury forum "to test policy thinking on a range of issues in the public domain," Finance Minister Bill English said. The documents reveal Government spends about $400 million annually enforcing prohibition whereas decriminalisation would generate about $150m in revenue from taxing cannabis. [continues 427 words]
There are urgent calls from many sectors of our society for our government to end the ineffective, expensive and irrational war on drugs. Police advise that they spend $230m a year on cannabis "crime". Beverley Aldridge, president of the Otamatea Grey Power branch, said that the branch voted unanimously to create a petition to re-legalise cannabis. Her petition acknowledges the fact that cannabis has been used legally for centuries before the demonisation and subsequent prohibition of this useful plant in 1961. [continues 117 words]
Cannabis decriminalisation could happen through a citizen-initiated referendum, says reform advocate Helen Kelly. At a public meeting at Auckland's Town Hall last night on the effects of cannabis law, Ms Kelly said she hoped a referendum could be pushed through by a dedicated team of volunteers. About 60 people were at the launch of the "Let's Start The Conversation" campaign, which also featured AUT professor and cannabis legalisation advocate Max Abbott, and Warren Young of the New Zealand Law Commission. [continues 112 words]
It seems Peter Dunne (June 13) is as misinformed about me, as much as he is about medicinal cannabis. I have not been part of Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party for four years. Peter Dunne is more interested in vilifying me, rather than proving my comments false. Because he cannot. When he claims my ignorance about his stance on medicinal cannabis, does he mean I'm unaware of his introduced bill, to test harm in drugs, that banned cannabis from being tested. [continues 134 words]
"Nanogirl" Michelle Dickinson's article on the dangers of cannabis to teens isn't bad, but coming from someone who says she "is passionate about getting Kiwis hooked on science" it doesn't do very well on scientific accuracy. She mentions a US state of Washington study by the AAA which reports fatal car accidents involving drivers who recently used marijuana has more than doubled since legalisation, which is fine - but she brings this up as an example of how cannabis can negatively affect road safety, and the AAA study shows nothing of the kind. In fact, fatal accidents have dropped in Washington state as well as other states where cannabis has been legalised - a decrease of up to 11 per cent in the first year after legalisation. [continues 97 words]
People in Over- 55 Age Group Are NZ's Most Prolific Users Cannabis is one of the most widely available illicit drugs in New Zealand - but what impact is it having on our wellbeing? Research from the 2015 New Zealand Health Survey shows that 11 per cent of people aged over 15 have used cannabis in the past 12 months, with one third of this group using it at least weekly. The survey shows it is most widely used by people aged 15 to 24, with 23 per cent of this group having used it in the past year - but when it comes to regularity of use, the over- 55s are the most prolific users. [continues 458 words]
The seizure of industrial quantities of methamphetamine near Ahipara this week should spark a bit of stocktaking. The drug bust will be remembered for the sheer quantity of the attempted importation and the comic incompetence of the criminals. (It's interesting the drug runners' ineptitude has been the object of more scathing comment than the importation itself.) The police appear to have been completely unaware of the audacious if bungled operation until locals twigged to something unusual going on. If the police were genuinely taken by surprise, the war on drugs is surely in a parlous state. Not that the authorities have ever looked like winning the war which has been an abject failure around the world. [continues 729 words]
Once again we see another suffering New Zealander on TV news who is having great difficulties getting the only medicine that really helps him, medicinal cannabis. The caregiver of this poor man said that once he started taking Sativex [pharmaceutical cannabis product from overseas], he enjoyed his first good nights of sleep, a reduction in symptoms, had a welcome, healthy appetite and actually "felt good". Sativex costs over $1,000/month. Peter Dunne is insisting that these victims of serious health problems must pay heavily and jump through many hoops in order to get access to a cannabis product. [continues 115 words]
Medicinal cannabis advocates in Nelson are among those wanting international input after a "disappointing" review of guidelines for the drug. A Government review of the guidelines released last month said five medical professionals who had made at least one application to prescribe approved medicinal cannabis product Sativex unanimously supported the current rules, suggesting only minor changes. Requirements that all other treatment options should be exhausted to gain approval for Sativex and to be hospitalised if taking unapproved, cannabis-based medicine were removed but several advocates said the review didn't go far enough. [continues 459 words]
Gum disease is one of the few physical health problems associated with cannabis use, according to new research on more than 1000 New Zealanders. As the most widely used illegal drug in the world, understanding the long-term effects of cannabis is a global priority. However, lead author Madeline Meier cautioned recreational users. "We don't want people to think: Hey, marijuana can't hurt me; because other studies on this same sample of New Zealanders have shown that marijuana use is associated with increased risk of psychotic illness, IQ decline and downward socioeconomic mobility." [continues 359 words]
I am dumbfounded at the results of the recent medicinal marijuana review. These politicians should witness first hand-the way this drug can ease the pain and suffering of sick people. Whose many uses, only now the drug has been legalised in Colorado, can finally be studied. The list is seemingly endless. From seizures to skin cancer. No wonder the pharmaceutical companies are scared. To use this natural herb for relief is only possible with political intervention, but addictive opiates and other heavy drugs, which often need further drugs to counteract the effects of the first, can be easily prescribed. In the US, veterans are committing suicide, often on the opiates they are prescribed which arrive without any counselling. Parents have to move country or state to relieve the suffering of their children or loved ones. Where is the reasoning? It has been used medicinally cross-culturally for 5000 years. How much more pain and suffering do people have to endure? How long would you wait if it was your loved one? Sian Jones Takaka, June 2 [end]
Terminally ill Helen Kelly says the Government has made her a criminal after a review of medicinal cannabis guidelines has resulted in little change. More than a year ago the former Council of Trade Unions president was diagnosed with lung cancer and after trying a variety of different medications she resorted to cannabis for pain relief. Kelly is illegally sourcing her own drugs after her bid for medicinal cannabis was withdrawn - the result of a ''complicated'' application process that required information that was ''impossible to access''. [continues 388 words]
I am disturbed that the Nelson Mail now appears to be publishing mostly material supporting pot smoking. Surely there could be a better balance of views. I doubt young people at risk read the newspapers these days, but cannabis, however used, is a drug, and there is plenty of evidence it leads on to harder drugs. The word recreational should never be applied to it, it is neither a sport nor a harmless hobby. Cannabis is not a suitable medical response to any self-diagnosed medical problem, and the medical profession should be more forthright about this. In any case, those who would like to think of themselves as adult, and publicly support cannabis use, should take a good look at themselves. Young people are watching. Pat Timings Golden Bay [end]
On May 2, TV3's Story ran a poll asking "should medicinal cannabis be legal in NZ?" , which returned a 97 per cent "yes" response. So what's the hold up? California has had medicinal cannabis for 20 years, without any negative outcomes. Twenty-four out of 52 states have legalised medicinal cannabis, and considering that the US was the sole driver in prohibiting cannabis. Quality isn't the problem, because as soon as you regulate the market (taking it away from gangs) you have quality product. Overdosing isn't an issue, as no one in the history of cannabis use has ever died from it.Our style of governance is a democracy, which means the will of the people is taken into account. But is it? When politicians were asked about law change, most responded with their own personal belief. Cannabis has so many benefits that it shouldn't be left as a "last resort" medicine. More than just the terminally ill can benefit from this amazing plant. Please push for the model currently used in America. Steven Wilkinson Takaka, May 2 [end]
Tax the Stuff, Build More Schools and Watch Crime Go Down For many in New Zealand it's easier to get hold of marijuana than alcohol. And yet it's still super illegal. It seems strange a conservative country like the United States has states legalising cannabis when here in New Zealand - one of the biggest consumers of weed per capita - we're not even close. Obviously Kiwis are divided on the issue. On one side it seems harsh that people should go to jail for simple horticulture. On the other side, weed makes boring things less boring, causing teens to waste their lives doing pointless stuff. Equally, surely people should be allowed to choose what they put inside their own bodies? Even then, pro-weed people might not like the taxation that comes with legalisation. [continues 574 words]
Try to imagine the future and you'll inevitably find it has bypassed you entirely, bringing a new present instead, part tragedy and part farce. Cannabis is a fine example. I well remember when it came into our lives, bringing new heights of paranoia with it. It was a time of student rebellion. It was a time of love-ins. It was a time of young blokes you knew wearing beads and growing wispy beards. We read Blake. We discovered Robert Crumb and listened to John Coltrane. [continues 612 words]
Why do some political leaders change their tune on drugs once they're no longer actively involved in politics? Last week the first United Nations general assembly special session (UNgass) on drugs for 18 years endorsed the prohibitionist approach that has cost so much and achieved so little. It was criticised by perhaps the most high-powered advisory body in international affairs. The Global Commission on Drug Policy's (GCDP) 22 members include eight former presidents or prime ministers and a former US Secretary of State, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve and UN SecretaryGeneral. [continues 622 words]
Nelsonians wanting a medicinal cannabis prescription are struggling to gain approval because of the lack of appropriate pain specialists in the region. Medicinal Cannabis Awareness New Zealand trustee Shane Le Brun said no Nelson doctor has prescribed medicinal cannabis spray Sativex as yet, despite a number of chronic pain sufferers and their families clamouring for access. The greatest barrier was the lack of a pain clinic in the Nelson region, he said. "No one even has a show of getting it in Nelson at the moment. It's such a rigmarole patients are a bit hesitant to go shopping [around] for it. [continues 376 words]
Inside New Zealand
