SUPPORT FOR PARTIAL CANNABIS DECRIMINALISATION

It was "bizarre" that someone's career could be seriously disrupted by
a criminal conviction for cannabis possession for personal use,
Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson said yesterday.

Mr Hodgson, who is also Energy Minister, was one of several speakers
at a public forum on cannabis use, attended by about 140 people at the
University of Otago last night. Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner was chairwoman.

Mr Hodgson said he supported partial decriminalisation of cannabis.
Possession for personal use would remain illegal but would be
punishable by an automatic fine, not by a criminal conviction.

He noted that possession of modest amounts of cannabis for personal
use currently had disproportionately serious consequences for some
people, including being effectively barred from some
professions.

He had used cannabis on a few occasions about the time of his
university student days, but had experienced blurred vision and had
not enjoyed the experience.

Any cannabis law reform would generally be subject to a conscience
vote by MPs, and he believed partial decriminalisation was unlikely
under the current parliament, he said.

Green MP Nandor Tanczos said he favoured legalising adult cannabis use
but was strongly opposed to any media advertising of cannabis or alcohol.

Paul McMullan, an Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidate in
Dunedin North, said law reform was urgently needed.

Dr Nerida Smith, a university senior lecturer in pharmacology and
toxicology, said the cannabis debate was often clouded by emotion.