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Delamere drug call gets mixed reaction
The Dominion - 10 April 1997
Associate Treasurer Tuariki Delamere's call to decriminalise cannabis has won him praise from the pro-cannabis lobby - and sparked fierce debate among his colleagues. Mr Delamere has said that it is unfair to stigmatise people for life by convicting them for cannabis possession. His son was recently convicted for cannabis possession, and Mr Delamere admitted he had tried the drug himself.
At NZ First's caucus meeting in Akaroa yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said decriminalising cannabis was not a priority for the party because it had more important things to do. However, he said MPs were welcome to express their views because debate on the issue was healthy.
Mike Appleby, leader of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, which out polled United NZ in the last elections, congratulated Mr Delamere for his "courage, honesty and realism in his approach to cannabis use". Mr Appleby said cannabis use was widespread and anti-cannabis laws were clearly not working.
Labour police spokesman George Hawkins said proposals to legalise cannabis would be greeted with delight by criminals, and with horror by health groups. Cannabis already caused enough problems for schools and the health system, and more money should be given to police to fight cannabis, Mr Hawkins said.
Labour MP Dover Samuels said Mr Delamere's call was naive, irresponsible and out of touch with the effects of cannabis on communities. Fellow Labour MP Mike Moore said decriminalisation just meant that gangs would sell cannabis at the front of schools, instead of behind the bikesheds. Former United MP and antidrugs campaigner Pauline Gardiner said Mr Delamere was concerned only about his son's conviction and gave no thought to thousands of young Maoris in mental institutions and drug treatment centres after their lives had "fallen apart" through cannabis use.
Some MPs have admitted they have tried cannabis. Consumer Affairs Minister Robyn MacDonald, Youth Affairs Minister Deborah Morris, Alliance MPs RodDonald and Pam Corkery, Labour's Annette King, ACT NZ's Ken Shirley and United's Peter Dunne are among MPs who say they have smoked the drug. Mr Donald said he supported decriminalisation for cultivation of cannabis for personal use, but opposed any relaxing of laws on its sale or supply. However, there is little support at senior Government level for decriminalisation. Prime Minister Jim Bolger has said that the Government has not intention of pursuing it.
The Criminal Bar Association has also come out in favour of instant fines without conviction.
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