INSTANT FINES FOR CANNABIS FAVOURED

WELLINGTON - A poll released last night shows a majority in favour of
the introduction of instant fines for cannabis possession as the
Government embarks on a review of the drug laws.

The One News/Colmar Brunton poll of 1000 voters found 55 per cent
supported spot fines and 40 per cent were against. The remainder had
no opinion or did not know.

The Government is reviewing cannabis law and has signalled it is keen
to move towards partial decriminalisation so people will not get a
criminal conviction for small amounts of marijuana.

Any change will be subject to a conscience vote of MPs, so they will
not be bound by party policy.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has said she prefers the introduction of
instant fines - similar to those imposed for driving infringements -
for possession of small amounts of the drug, and Health Minister
Annette King has said she does not believe the public want to legalise
cannabis use totally.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per
cent.

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, was
strongly criticised by secondary school principals when he told them
at a conference that he supported partial decriminalisation.