POLICE EASE STANCE ON DECRIMINALISING DOPE

Police are open-minded about decriminalising cannabis, Assistant
Commissioner of police Ian Holyoake told a Parliamentary inquiry into the
mental health effects of the drug.

Mr Holyoake told Parliament's health select committee today that while
police were opposed to legalisation of the drug, he believed
decriminalisation warranted further investigation.

"We would think legalisation was completely wrong. We would be prepared to
look at other possibilities, which must include decriminalisation," Mr
Holyoake said.

He signalled that police were willing to look at supporting putting
possession of the drug on a similar footing to traffic offences, where
infringement notices were issued rather than criminal charged laid.

"There are instant fines for offences which perhaps take away the criminal
stigma that worries a number of people," he said.

Mr Holyoake said that the legal direction in relation to cannabis was one
he believed warranted further investigation.

Last week, the Ministry of Health told the committee that cannabis did not
pose a big health risk to users.

Mr Holyoake said the police were unable to support that view because of
conflicting evidence on the health effects.

Today, Mr Holyoake said that the traditional law enforcement "crime
control" approach to cannabis had not reduced cannabis use.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)