THE TIMES ARE A-CHANGING FOR CANNABIS LAW REFORMERS

Attitudes to cannabis may be getting more liberal, but most of us
still do not want people to be able to legally
buy and grow the drug for personal use.

Slightly more than half (56 per cent) of 750 people questioned in a
Herald-DigiPoll survey were opposed to such a law change.

However, the opposition was not as strong as in the same poll two
years ago, when 70.6 per cent did not want the law
liberalised.

The number in favour of easing cannabis laws has jumped from 24 per
cent to 37.5 per cent.

Chris Fowler, of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws, said that the poll supported his belief that there had been a
shift in public opinion, making law reform inevitable.

Pro-cannabis campaigners regard this year as crucial, with the Green
Party in Parliament, smoker Nandor Tanczos an MP, Police Minister
George Hawkins promising a review of cannabis laws this term, and even
police suggesting decriminalisation.

In a briefing paper to the new Government, police advocated a law
change to make possession of cannabis punishable by an instant fine.

Mr Hawkins said he thought people were becoming more tolerant, and a
law change to allow instant fines could happen within five years.

"I think the debate is going to happen ... I don't think we should be
in a rush to change things, but I do say things will change."

However, National's police spokesman, Brian Neeson, said polls by
themselves were not enough to indicate a change in public opinion.

He believed most people were conservative on the issue, fearing the
legalisation or decriminalisation of marijuana would provide young
people with a "start-up package" into harder drugs.

"I suppose with the Greens coming into Parliament, you're going to get
some fairly heated argument from them. I don't believe that's going to
sway the establishment or the more conservative people in New Zealand."

The poll showed that younger people were divided on the issue, an
equal number supporting and opposing liberalisation of the laws.

Two-thirds of Maori surveyed supported liberalisation, while most
Pakeha and older people were against it.