"Pot" plant admired by Select Committee M.P.s

The unexpected appearance of a marijuana seedling brought smiles to M.P.s faces at a hearing on cannabis in Christchurch earlier this week.

Six M.P.s from the Labour, Alliance, Green and National parties gathered on Wednesday at the Russley Hotel to hear submissions on the Health Committee Inquiry into Health Strategies relating to Cannabis.

Members heard from a range of submitters including health experts, cannabis reform advocates, would-be cannabis entrepreneurs, and one aggrieved mother.

The marijuana plant, initially concealed in a foil-lined shoe box, was tabled by Kevin O'Connell, who said that the cannabis issue had to be brought out into the open, and that on principle he found prohibition repugnant and a desecration of nature.

As the seedling was passed around the table (protected under parliamentary privilege) it appeared some of the MPs had never actually directly viewed the subject of their inquiry. Committee Chair and Otaki M.P. Judy Keall remarked "what a beautiful little plant". Other M.P.s were concerned that the pot plant appeared to be in need of a drink, and dismay was expressed that the media were not present for an excellent photo opportunity.

Mr O'Connell, a Mild Green and recent Canterbury District Health Board Candidate (2866 provisional votes), pointed out that cannabis could be put into food as a natural and a smoke-free "harm reduction" alternative.

Virtually all submitters agreed that existing policy was a failure and counter productive - with side affects including black market violence, fear and mistrust between parent and child.

Only the aggrieved mother appeared to think criminalisation was appropriate. Committee members were evidently unconvinced that the lady’s trouble with her son was caused by cannabis alone...

Other compelling arguments for reform (and challenging the legitimacy of prohibition) were heard from NORML/ALCP associates including Warren Bryson, Brandon Hutchison, and Stephen McIntyre, amongst others. Another submitter wanted "coercive care" as implemented in Sweden. Whether this could work given the defiant attitude of NZ’s pervasive cannabis culture is seriously doubted.

Many submitters concluded that a consistent basis was needed for drug education and control particularly amongst tobacco, alcohol and cannabis. M.P.'s on the committee appear to generally accept of the logic of this strategy.

Members were reminded by Mr O'Connell that the 1998 Health Committee Inquiry into the Mental Health Effects of Cannabis found that the double standards surrounding cannabis were an "impediment to effective anti-drug education" - and that the 1986 Ottawa Charter "Bible" on health promotion requires such barriers be removed. He also pointed out that concerns were expressed in the 1927 House Debate on the Dangerous Drugs Bill (July 15), prior to the prohibition of cannabis, that Police were being given powers to which they were "not entitled" and that this could set a dangerous precedent.

The implications for other illicit drugs in widespread use (such as methamphetamine) will also have to be considered by government, and committee chair Judy Keall hinted at Wednesday’s cannabis hearing that a general drug review has indeed been scheduled. Last evening’s TV1 Assignment Documentary strongly indicated that prohibition of methamphetamine (speed) is also creating serious public health and community safety anomalies.

"Enhanced Protections" for the 1990 Smokefree Environments Act are also before the Health Select committee, with public submissions closing November 25th. Interestingly, Judy Keall's supplementary order paper for amendments to the Smokefree legislation accommodates, for the first time, "herbal smoking products"...

It is hoped that enlightened policy "beyond prohibition" will be implemented in New Zealand well before the general election set for late 2002. NZ statute, as amended in November 2000, provides that any drug may be removed expeditiously from the Misuse of Drugs regulations by Order in Council.

The Mild Greens "Analysis of the Health Benefits of Legal Cannabis" submitted to the Inquiry may be viewed at http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/blair/healthbenefits.htm

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Soft line needed on recreational users - professor

Policies governing the use of cannabis need to avoid criminalising the large number of occasional recreational users who pose no risk to themselves or others, says a Christchurch medical researcher.

Professor David Fergusson, of the Christchurch School of Medicine, said although cannabis may have harmful effects on a minority of heavy or vulnerable users, there was little evidence to suggest the occasional use of cannabis was harmful.

"However, potentially large numbers of young people who use cannabis are, in theory at least, at risk of criminal prosecution for their actions.

"There is a clear need for policies releting to cannabis to avoid criminalising the majority of occasional recreational users who do not appear to pose a risk to themselves or anyone around them."

Professor Fergusson, who made the comments to the Health Select Committee inquiry into cannabis use, based his submission on the Christchurch Health and Development Study, which he heads.

The study tracked 1265 children born in Christchurch in mid-1977 until the age of 21.

Part of this research focused on the development of cannabis use from early adolescence (13 years) to young adulthood.

It found 70 percent of the cohort had used cannabis at least once, with 23 percent reporting using cannabis on more than 100 occasions. Cannabis use was more common among males and Maori.

Professor Fergusson said the debate about cannabis had tended to polarise popular views to produce black and white views of the health risks of the drug.

Although there was evidence of potentially harmful effects for regular and heavy cannabis users, for occasional users "we believe that a fair summation of the existing evidence is that cannabis use is likely to be no more harmful than alcohol use and may well be shown to less harmful than alcohol use."

The committee was investigating whether the legal status of the drug should be changed and how the risks associated with its use could be minimalised.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party deputy leader Mike Britnell said the prohibition of cannabis, rather than its use, was the cause of many of New Zealand's social problems.

He said prohibition was a failed policy and should be replaced with Government regulation along the lines of that applied to tobacco and alcohol.

Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board member Yahni Johanson said the current cannabis laws created injustice for young people and should be changed.

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Recreational cannabis users 'low risk'

Recreational cannabis users pose little risk to themselves or others, says a leading Christchurch medical researcher.

David Fergusson, of the Christchurch School of Medicine, yesterday told Parliament's health select committee that policies on cannabis needed to avoid criminalising the majority of recreational users.

While cannabis might have harmful effects on a minority of heavy users there was little evidence to suggest occasional use of the drug was harmful.

"Cannabis use is likely to be no more harmful than alcohol use and may very well be shown to be less harmful," said Professor Fergusson, the head of the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS), which is tracking 1265 children born in Christchurch in mid 1977 from birth to age 21.

Almost 70 per cent of them have reported using cannabis at least once; 23 per cent have reported using cannabis on more than 100 occasions.

Professor Fergusson said popular debates about cannabis tended to polarise views and produce black and white views of the health risks of cannabis.

There was evidence to link cannabis use with increased risks of traffic accidents caused by driver behaviour or error. But the link appeared to arise because regular cannabis use was associated with more general tendencies to risk-taking behaviour.

Professor Fergusson said the results of a large British study suggested that the regular use of cannabis during pregnancy might lead to a small decrease in birthweight.

"Although cannabis may have harmful effects for a minority of heavy or vulnerable users, it is also clear that there is little evidence from the CHDS (or indeed other research) to suggest that occasional recreational use of cannabis is harmful. However, potentially large numbers of young people who use cannabis are, in theory at least, at risk of criminal prosecution for their actions," he told the committee.

The committee, which met in Christchurch yesterday, is looking at how to minimise the harm associated with cannabis use and whether the legal status of the drug should be changed.

Lincoln University Students' Association vice-president Greg Henderson told the committee the LUSA's view was that cannabis should be decriminalised but not legalised at this stage.

Mr Henderson said the current laws were clearly not working and the LUSA wanted them reformed to a system of prevention and care rather than punishment.

"We believe that the decriminalisation of the drug will decrease the glamour value of cannabis and decrease the usage of cannabis by New Zealand youth."

In his submission to the committee, Youth Trust chairman Jeff McIntyre said prohibition by itself did not work and New Zealand should look towards adopting a "coercive care" model similar to that used in Sweden.

Sweden prohibited the use of cannabis but had backed up prohibition with intelligent laws that had resulted in dramatic reductions in cannabis and other drug use.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party deputy leader Mike Britnell said that prohibition was a failed policy which needed to be removed and replaced with Government regulation along the lines of alcohol and tobacco.