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 relating 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.