 | Cannabis Inquiry: Smoke Signals |
 NORML News Winter 2003
The cannabis inquiry report sets out the case for change, even if it has avoided resolving the issue. Despite the delays and diversions, there is much to indicate reform is still on the agenda, writes CHRIS FOWLIE.
Cannabis law reform is an issue that has run through the three parliaments and looks set to play a role in another election.
The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party kick-started the chain of events during the 1996 election, then National's Brian Neeson chaired an inquiry that recommended the legal status be reviewed.
After three years and an election result that saw Labour agree to not do anything, that review has finally been completed.
At least, completed in name only. The report leaves unanswered the main question of the legal status of cannabis.
Having said that, the report is a huge blow to prohibitionists such as United Future - they went looking for damning evidence to back their claims about cannabis, and failed to find anything to support the current law.
What they did find is that cannabis is relatively harmless for most people who use it, and that the current law is the worst case scenario.
While the evidence pointed to reform, most committee members did not want to listen. Eight out of 11 members were not present for the 2001 hearings, so the report was put together by Nandor, who supports law reform, National's Lynda Scott, who bristles at the mere mention of cannabis, and Steve Chadwick, whose party has alreadt agreed to do nothing.
These opposing viewpoints produced a report that represents the bare minimum advance from the current position, yet it is an advance, nonetheless.
There are many positive things we can take from the report.
Like every other major inquiry around the world, the report has not supported continued prohibition. There is no recommendation to not change the law, which is very significant. The police receive some heavy criticism for racist practises and unlawful searches. The medicinal use of cannabis is supported.
The report calls for ways to reduce the criminalisation of cannabis users. But recommending only a more even and less racist application of diversion is not much to offer. This will not solve the real and very obvious problem of arresting cannabis users in the first place.
Passing the job to the Justice and Electoral committee for yet another inquiry is predictably disappointing, yet it could be very positive with Tim Barnett in charge, Nandor in there and some sharp legal minds on the committee too. Tim has publicly said drug law reform is next on his agenda. Nandor believes they can finish an inquiry within one year, which would be a good set up for the next election.
Now the task is upon the reform movement to take what we can from this report and use it as a base for making real progress.
Probably the most Important thing you can do right now is contact your MP - especially Labour ones - and let them know how you feel.
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