MINOR OFFENCES FOR CANNABIS DROPPING

Wellington: Convictions for minor cannabis offences have dropped, according
to official figures released by Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos.

They show 1984 people were convicted of cannabis use or possession in
2003, compared with a peak of 3717 in 1993.

"Police are taking a more realistic approach to cannabis," Mr Tanczos,
a campaigner for the decriminalisation of minor cannabis offences,
said.

"Police have driven law reform in the UK and in Holland because they
recognise they have more important things to do than arrest people
just for cannabis possession."

Mr Tanczos said it was time New Zealand legislation caught up with
what police were finding out - that it was a waste of time
investigating cannabis offences.

"I've got real concerns for the almost 2000 people who got a
conviction last year for a substance that more than half of all New
Zealanders have tried," he said.

"Evidence already shows that Maori are seven times more likely to be
convicted than their cannabis-smoking Pakeha friends."