GREEN PLAN FOR DRUG LAWS

The Greens are proposing an overhaul of a "hodgepodge" of drug
laws.

Their drug law reform spokesman, Nandor Tanczos, wants a new
Controlled Drugs Act to replace the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Sale of
Liquor Act and the Smokefree Environments Act.

The Greens envisage all drugs and substances ranging from tobacco and
alcohol to drugs classified as "A", such as methamphetamine, being
encompassed by the new law.

The present blanket prohibitions and restrictions according to A, B
and C ratings would be replaced by Parliament voting on
recommendations made by an experts committee on specific substances.

The recommendations would range from outright bans through to controls
over age of use and sale.

The Greens claim such a process, if focused on harm prevention, would
take the political heat out of arguments about decriminalisation of
recreational drugs such as cannabis.

When Labour did a confidence and supply deal with United Future in
2002 it had to promise to make no move to loosen the prohibition on
cannabis.