GOVT STUBS OUT EASING OF DRUG LAW by LUKE Peter
Copyright (c) 1997, The Christchurch Press Company Limited

Marijuana users had an instant high last night but it
was shortlived as the Government scotched any suggestion
that decriminalisation of the drug was on the coalition's
agenda.

Beehive spokesmen were adamant that Government policy
was against decriminalisation. They said no formal reports
on the issue had been ordered, that there was no law change
mooted for next year, and that decriminalisation was a
nonstarter''. With Parliament in recess it came as little
surprise that the moral issue of drugs would enter the
political arena.

Associate Treasurer Tuariki John Delamere raised the
issue with a call for decriminalisation. It came after the
conviction of his son for cannabis possession, and Mr
Delamere's admission that he had smoked the drug himself.

Last night in a television interview, Justice Minister
Doug Graham appeared to indicate that decriminalisation was
on the Government's agenda. It was suggested that formal
reports into the issue had been called for.

I think it is worth looking into at this stage,'' Mr
Graham said.

Decriminalisation would involve the possession of small
amounts of marijuana for personal use being punished by an
instant fine with no criminal record attached but
there would be no letup for dealing in the drug.

It is understood decriminalisation was raised at the
Government caucus yesterday although no position was
taken and that Mr Graham's floating of it was prompted
by the apparent lack of police interest in the offence.
However, his television comments took Prime Minister Jim
Bolger's office by surprise.

Mr Bolger is opposed to decriminalisation, as are a host
of Government MPs who last night lined up to oppose the
proposal, including Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said that while the
Government was aware of decriminalisation in some other
countries, the coalition's drug policy was against this
course and it did not intend to pursue this option.

Mr Graham's office was also eager to beat down the
suggestion that decriminalisation was on the agenda: There
are no plans to decriminalise,'' a spokesman said.

Mr Graham had asked to see figures on marijuana
convictions from the police and the Justice Department
but no formal reports on the issue had been called for
from the Minister's office.

Even if a law change had been mooted, it was a political
nonstarter, the spokesman said. Mr Delamere said he
thought politicians had to start debating the issue
constructively because it would not go away.

He said the use of marijuana was widespread and he was
sure quite a number of MPs have also indulged''.

Mr Delamere emphasised cannabis should still be illegal
and said he supported police busts such as the recent haul
in Wanganui.

His admission that he had smoked marijuana prompted
the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party to offer a pair of
hemp underpants to every MP who owns up to having smoked
the drug.

CAPTION:

Doug Graham

Tuariki John Delamere