Just weeks before the Government response to the health select committee report is expected, the Minister of Police, Clem Simich, has indicated that no changes to the cannabis laws are in the pipeline.

The committee's report in December recommended that the Government reconsider the legal status of the drug because it was "clear that current policies do not deter cannabis use to any great extent."

It stopped one step short of calling for the decriminalisation of cannabis.

The Government's response is due on March 17, but Mr Simich told Parliament yesterday that no changes were planned.

To a question from Mauri Pacific MP Tukoroirangi Morgan on whether there were any moves to alter the Government's cannabis policy, Mr Simich replied "no".

"I am probably more aware than any other member in this House of the dangers of the use of marijuana, and I have always said it's a matter that needs to be looked at," said Mr Simich, a former policeman.

"We need to do a lot more, and we intend to do a lot more in terms of encouraging and counseling and all sorts of other measures to make sure New Zealanders minimise the use of this awful drug."

Mr Simich faced questioning over his stance in favour of decriminalisation, which is at odds with the position of the Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, and other National MPs.

He said there was no split in the Government on the issue, and that his position was a personal one.

The 10-member committee studied the effects of cannabis on mental health and concluded that these had been overstated and that moderate use of the drug did not harm most people.