TANCZOS LASHES OUT OVER CANNABIS

Green MP Nandor Tanczos has lashed out at the School Trustees Association for launching a petition against the decriminalisation of cannabis.

He has also voiced the Green Party's opposition to introducing instant fines for cannabis use, saying such a system would result in "more people getting busted than ever before".

Mr Tanczos, who wants people to be allowed to grow their own marijuana without any fear of punishment, said in a speech to the National Press Club on Thursday that the time for cannabis law reform had come.

He was "appalled" at the willingness of the School Trustees Association, which is running an anti-decriminalisation petition in conjunction with the National Party, to be "so blatantly used for political mileage".

"I am disappointed that they have taken their position without allowing law reformers to present their case," he said.

"And I do not believe that the National Party has the interests of New Zealand kids at heart when they have completely refused to participate in a review to see if there is a way that actually works."

Mr Tanczos said the public understood the need for law reform, as evidenced by a UMR Insight poll conducted for The Dominion showing 60 per cent of New Zealanders wanted to relax cannabis laws.

"It is the politicians, and a few small but vocal parts of the community, who need educating."

He said most people agreed that the police should not be concerned with what consenting adults did in the privacy of their own homes, but many were concerned about the effects of cannabis on children.

"Yet a quick glance at what is happening in our schools shows that our cannabis laws are failing our young people even more than they are failing the rest of the community."

Prohibition was a barrier to effective and honest drug rehabilitation and education programmes in schools and the wider community, he said.

Cannabis use was widespread in society, but it was the young, the poor and Maoris who were getting arrested for it, not the decision makers.

However, Mr Tanczos said instant fines for personal cannabis use was not the right option.

The UMR poll found that 41 per cent of people favoured instant fines, and Prime Minister Helen Clark has also said she favours this option.

Mr Tanczos said overseas evidence showed that instant fines resulted in more people getting busted than ever before, and many ended up with convictions for non-payment of fines.

Such a system would again discriminate against the young, the poor, and Maoris.

The Government intends to review the legal status of cannabis within its first term of office.

National Party leader Jenny Shipley and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton are vehemently against softening the law.