CANNABIS INQUIRY HOLDS HOPE OF FAIR POLICY

WHILE IT'S heartening to see the health select committee inquiry into
cannabis policy is finally under way, your coverage of the inquiry ( ODT ,
26.5.01) was potentially misleading. Contrary to your article, partial
decriminalisation will not be the main legislative option under
consideration by the select committee. The aim of this inquiry isn't simply
to find a policy to replace the problem-ridden prohibition, but to find a
policy which best reduces the harms associated with cannabis use.

The instant fines system fails to solve many of the glaring problems
inherent in the current policy. Ironically, South Australia's partial
decriminalisation has resulted in more criminal convictions being issued to
cannabis smokers from lower socio-economic backgrounds than ever before.

Considering that the unnecessary criminalisation of cannabis users is the
greatest harm associated with cannabis use, partial decriminalisation is an
unsatisfying option.

This inquiry offers New Zealanders the opportunity to benefit from a
cannabis policy which is both fair and workable. It would be unfortunate if
the end result was merely the replacement of one flawed policy with
another. The cannabis law reform debate will not go away until a reasonable
policy is put in place. The partial decriminalisation of cannabis quite
simply doesn't cut the mustard.

Duncan Eddy

City Rise