CANNABIS STANCE CONFUSING - DUNNE

Ohariu Belmont MP Peter Dunne has accused Prime Minister Helen Clark and
Health Minister Annette King of giving mixed messages on cannabis - and
says it's no wonder young people are confused.

The United Future New Zealand leader gave his submission at Wednesday's
select committee hearing into cannabis laws.

Mr Dunne said the current law was not working, but decriminalisation would
not work either. He said there should be no change in the legal status of
the drug.

But first-time offenders under the age of 20 charged with possession should
be able to escape conviction in favour of education and treatment, he said.

He also wanted tougher penalties for drug dealing, especially when cannabis
was sold to younger people, and the introduction of a comprehensive
education and drug treatment strategy.

But he accused the Government of hypocrisy over the cannabis issue.

"We are very suspicious this present inquiry is no more than a thin
political smokescreen to decriminalise cannabis.

"We deplore the lack of leadership from the Prime Minister and the Minister
of Health, who, despite promoting strong views against tobacco, are not
nearly as outspoken on the issue of cannabis.

"There are mixed signals everywhere - no wonder young people are confused."

As a parent of teenagers, he told the committee, he was worried about the
pressure young faced over drugs.

"When I hear stories, from the teenagers themselves and also their parents,
about their their experiences and fears, I become more concerned."

"Good decent kids from good decent families are having their lives turned
upside down by cannabis, which, it seems, is almost now more available than
alcohol."

He said it was time to replace the emotionalism surrounding the debate with
common sense.