SHIPLEY CANNABIS POLICY ARCHAIC

Sir - I hear Jenny Shipley is rolling out the old "protect our youth from
the scourge of cannabis" policy again. When is the National Party going to
realise that its cannabis policy is archaic?

According to the polls, it was winning the Coromandel until it started
vilifying the Greens for their cannabis policy. That was the turning point.
The stand National took on cannabis put the Greens in Parliament.

I wonder if National's sudden concern for youth will see new proposals to
end student loans, provide debt-relief for an entire generation by forgiving
some of the existing student debt, raise the drinking age to 21, and instead
of spending on frigates and F16s use that money to improve facilities for
our schools, hire more teachers, and pay a decent wage to primary,
secondary, and tertiary educators.

That would have a real trickle-down effect, and provide benefits to all New
Zealanders, especially youth.

ALLEN MOURTON