ANDERTON-TANCZOS TO DEBATE CANNABIS REFORM

Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton and Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos
will tomorrow night hold their eagerly anticipated public debate over
cannabis law reform.

Mr Tanczos, a Rastafarian who smokes cannabis for religious reasons, is a
champion of law reform and wants the drug decriminalised.

Mr Anderton said his party's strong view was that there be no change in the
legal status of the drug, until it is proven safe.

The debate, which has been in the offing since August, will be held in the
St Peter's Parish Centre in Beckenham, Christchurch.

Mr Anderton picked up a challenge Mr Tanczos originally put to United
Future leader Peter Dunne, who turned it down.

Mr Anderton is chairman of the ministerial committee overseeing drug policy.

He is working on the Government's response to the health committee's report
on cannabis.

The Progressive Coalition Party wants special drugs courts set up to hand
down tough penalties for people who supply children.

It opposes decriminalisation.

"The party's stance is based instead on a practical concern over the
effects on teenagers and even young children from abusing alcohol, P,
cannabis and tobacco," Mr Anderton said.

"They are among the most vulnerable in our society and the Progressive
Party wants to send a strong message to young people that abusing drugs
isn't okay."

- - NZPA