MP CALLS FOR DOPE RESEARCH

Wellington: Marijuana is having a detrimental effect on Maori, says New
Zealand First MP Pita Paraone, who is calling for "immediate research" into
the effects of the drug.

"Too many Maori are wasted out of their heads on a daily basis, and it's
time to look at the long-term physical, social and psychological effects of
using this drug," he said yesterday.

"The road to decriminalisation is a dead-end for Maori, and for New
Zealand. It's time to get the facts on dope out there before it's too late
and before the issue gets hijacked by interest groups and lobbyists."

Mr Paraone's comments follow those of author Alan Duff last weekend, when
he said cannabis was a huge issue for Maori and it was nowhere more evident
than at rugby matches.

"Everyone is smoking dope. Our brains are addled on dope," Mr Duff said. Mr
Duff's remarks, and others he made about Maori at an Act New Zealand party
conference, annoyed Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, who accused him of
"misreporting Maori activities" and using divisive politics.

Mr Paraone said yesterday the party's other co-leader, Tariana Turia, had
supported decriminalisation of cannabis during the Te Tai Hauauru by-election.

"I find it incomprehensible that a party purporting to be about advancing
the cause of Maori could support something so detrimental to that very
cause," he said.

"Marijuana abuse is endemic in some Maori communities, and what's worse,
it's inter-generational."

Mr Paraone said New Zealand was now in the "unfortunate position" of having
two parties in Parliament that supported decriminalisation - the Maori
Party and the Greens.