CANNABIS USE LINKED TO HOSPITAL CASES

MORE than 130 people, most aged 15 to 25 and Maori, need hospital treatment
each year for cannabis problems, according to information from Health
Minister Annette King yesterday.

In response to questions asked by ACT justice spokesman Stephen Franks, Mrs
King said that on average 131 people a year were treated in hospital for
cannabis psychoses and dependence.

That figure did not include treatment for "cannabis-related poisoning",
which is believed to refer to cannabis spiked with other drugs such as
horse tranquilliser.

Mrs King said people aged 20-25 and 15-20, were the most likely to need
hospital treatment. Maoris accounted for 40 per cent "despite being only
14.5 per cent of the population".

Prime Minister Helen Clark's statement this week that the cannabis review
was a low priority led Mr Franks to accuse the Government yesterday of
creating a smokescreen.

"They used cannabis reform as a youth vote-winner but I think they've now
panicked at the reactions from parents and principals. The Government has
been pretty casual with what is rapidly becoming an urgent matter," he said.

"All we've heard so far is vague abstract concepts, when any review would
need to look at practical options."

Mr Franks said ACT favoured a policy that gave educated adults the right to
choose, but worked to protect children and those at risk.

Drug Foundation executive director Sally Jackman said she was not surprised
at the findings of a UMR Insight poll, conducted for The Dominion, that 60
per cent of people supported decriminalising or legalising cannabis.

Poll results throughout the 1990s showed increasing support for a softer
stance she said. Any possible law changes would have to consider public
opinion because unpopular laws were difficult to enforce, she said.