The health select committee is also repeating its call for the Government to reconsider the illegality of the drug.

A report it released yesterday follows last year's inquiry into the mental health effects of cannabis.

That found that moderate use of cannabis did not harm most people, although it did not deny the serious impact the drug could have, particularly on schizophrenics or those with mental illnesses.

After the inquiry, the committee recommended that the Government review its policy on cannabis and the legal status of the drug.

Yesterday, chairman Brian Neeson restated that position after considering a petition urging decriminalising the recreational use of cannabis.

Mr Neeson said it was clear that Government policies of prohibition were no great deterrent to using cannabis.

If the drug did cause harm to a small proportion of users, it was better that they had access to treatment without fear of the stigma of criminalisation.

"In light of the evidence we have heard on the effects of cannabis and the high rate of use in New Zealand, the effectiveness of the current policy requires examination."

Mr Neeson, who does not personally favour liberalisation, said yesterday that while the Government had no plans to review the legal status of cannabis, that did not mean it was not being talked about.

"What we've got to have a look at is the use of it, the recreational use of it, the sociological implications of cannabis..."

"We have to understand that there is an epidemic out there as far as the distribution of cannabis is concerned..." he said.

"The Government itself and the country and the community have to decide exactly what they want to do from now on."

- NZPA