MAN LIGHTS UP CANNABIS JOINT IN PARLIAMENT

A man briefly lit up a cannabis joint in Parliament before being
nabbed by security yesterday.

The man lit the joint in the public gallery about 5.30pm during the
second reading of the Resource Management (Climate Protection)
Amendment Bill.

He was quickly grabbed by security and removed. There was no
indication it was any sort of protest, said Parliamentary Services
spokesman Warren Inkster.

Apart from breaking drug laws, the man would have broken Parliamentary
codes of conduct surrounding behaviour in the chamber, Mr Inkster said.

Parliament's premises were also non-smoking.

The matter had been handed over to police, he said.

Parliamentary police were unavailable for comment and Wellington
police were unable to provide any further details.