CRIMINALISATION DAMAGES HEALTH OF CANNABIS USERS

CERTAIN MEDICAL authorities appear to harbour serious misunderstanding
concerning the upcoming health select committee inquiry into cannabis. Prof
Robin Taylor said it would be peculiar if the Government didn't consider
the health effects of cannabis in its decriminalisation deliberations (
ODT, 27.11.00). It would be peculiar, indeed, if the health committee
overlooked the health effects of cannabis. I doubt if this will happen.

The same article also mentioned that the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
of New Zealand will be making a submission against decriminalisation based
on the findings of the study. I find this odd, considering the heavy toll
that criminalisation takes on one's mental and physical health, and even
more odd considering that the criminalisation of cannabis users failed to
stop over 52% of the study group members from smoking pot during the
previous year.

Duncan Eddy, National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Dunedin