Pot Party

NEW ZEALAND POLITICO WON'T STOP SMOKING GRASS

WELLINGTON - One of New Zealand's new Green MPs has said he would not stop
using cannabis now that he has entered parliament.

Dreadlocked Nandor Tanczos told the Sunday Star Times newspaper he uses
cannabis as part of his Rastafarian religious practice.

"I don't use cannabis very often and I don't use it in a recreational way,"
Tanczos was quoted as saying.

"I certainly have no intention to be intoxicated while being involved in
any parliamentary work," he said.

Tanczos and six Greens colleagues became the first of the party's members
to enter parliament in the November 27 election. They now hold the balance
of power in New Zealand's new center-left government after late counting of
votes last week.

London-born Tanczos, who is part-owner of a New Zealand hemp clothing
store, suggested there was scope to relax laws which make cannabis use
illegal.