CANNABIS COMMITTEE

Wellington: The cannabis debate has finally moved forward, with a
parliamentary committee to look into the health issues associated with its
use.

A review of cannabis laws is scheduled during this term of Parliament, with
decriminalising the drug the main option up for discussion. That would make
being caught with small amounts of cannabis a ticketing offence, like
speeding.

The inquiry, announced yesterday by health select committee chairwoman Judy
Keall, is the first step in the process.

Ms Keall said the terms of reference for the inquiry were "to inquire into
the most effective public health and health promotion strategies to minimise
the use of and the harm associated with cannabis and consequently the most
appropriate legal status of cannabis".

Green MP Nandor Tanczos - a Rastafarian who has previously said he smokes
cannabis for religious reasons and who wants to see the law changed - said
he was satisfied the terms of reference were broad enough to allow vigorous
and thorough debate on the issue.

But National health spokesman Wyatt Creech said his party strongly opposed
the inquiry.

"If the Government wants to decriminalise cannabis, it should be up front
about it and put a liberalising law change to Parliament," Mr Creech said in
a statement.

"Another select committee review is just causing uncertainty and further
damage."

A select committee report in December 1998 recommended the then National
government look again at changing the legal status of cannabis, but its
recommendation was not adopted.

Public submissions on the latest inquiry close on February 7.