ANDERTON, TANCZOS TO DEBATE CANNABIS LAW

Wellington: Cabinet minister Jim Anderton and Green MP Nandor Tanczos will
square off in a public debate about cannabis law reform.

Mr Anderton yesterday picked up the 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
and is working on the Government's response to the health committee's report
on cannabis, released last week.

"I don't see any reason why I couldn't meet you on a public platform to
discuss my party's stance and how it differs to your party's stance," he
said in a letter sent to Mr Tanczos yesterday.

"Be my guest in Wigram, where we can debate these very important issues."

Mr Tanczos said he welcomed the opportunity and was ready to debate cannabis
law with any MP, anywhere.

A date for the public debate has not yet been set.