PROBE ON CANNABIS PLANNED

WELLINGTON -- Parliament's health select committee will hold an inquiry
into the effects of cannabis, says committee chairman Brian Neeson.

"Given the current level of public interest in the cannabis issue, the
intention of the inquiry is to gain as much information as possible about
the effects of cannabis on mental health," he said.

All members of the cross-party committee supported the inquiry, he said.

Its terms of reference would be:

* The effect of cannabis on people's development.

* The role of cannabis as a trigger for mental illness.

* The effects of cannabis on Maori mental health.

* The adequacy of services for those with drug-related mental illnesses.

The committee will report to Parliament and make recommendations to the
Government.

Submissions will have called for and the closing date is May 15.

The Government has ruled out any move to decriminalise cannabis until the
inquiry is held.

Associate Health Minister Roger Sowry has dismissed a report from a group
of doctors and professionals calling on the Government to legalise the drug
and take control of the market.

The report from the Drug Policy Forum Trust says such a move would protect
public health and minimise cannabis abuse.

Mr Sowry said he was disappointed the report did not address or acknowledge
the harmful effects of cannabis use.

Drug Policy Forum Trust head Dr David Hadorn accused Mr Sowry of putting up
smokescreens and stalling on the issue of cannabis law reform. He said
there was plenty of research, which he had sent to Mr Sowry, which showed
the health effects of cannabis were no worse than alcohol or tobacco.

He said legalising cannabis would make it easier to educate and deal with
health problems.