MPS WANT SEARCH POWER AXED

Police should be stripped of their powers to search for and seize cannabis
without a warrant as evidence suggests they may be abusing them, MPs
investigating use of the drug say.

The Government should also inquire into allegations that police
discriminate against Maori when investigating cannabis offences, the health
select committee said yesterday in its report on cannabis.

It was unable to agree on whether cannabis should be decriminalised, but
has kept that issue alive by referring it to the justice and electoral
select committee.

The Government has ruled out decriminalisation of cannabis this
parliamentary term as part of a confidence and supply deal signed with
United Future.

Green MP Nandor Tanczos said yesterday that he believed the new inquiry
would bring a recommendation for law reform, hopefully before the next
election.

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said it was well known that Prime
Minister Helen Clark and other senior Government ministers were reform
advocates.

Helen Clark declined to comment on the report yesterday. Committee
chairwoman Steve Chadwick, a Labour MP who favours cannabis reform, said
the majority of the committee had been concerned by evidence presented that
suggested police were misusing their powers to search and seize without a
warrant.

The committee has asked the justice and electoral committee to consider the
issue.

It also wants the expert advisory committee to consider reclassifying the drug.

The search powers would be removed if a lower classification were given.

The number of searches without warrants undertaken by police over the past
10 years had more than doubled to nearly 5000 in 2001 and 83 per cent of
those searches were related to cannabis offences.

The committee also recommended that the Government "follow up allegations
that the police discriminate against Maori" as highlighted by a study and
other evidence presented to the committee, Ms Chadwick said. A police
spokeswoman said the police would consider the report before responding to it.

During hearings, however, police disputed allegations of bias against Maori.

The committee has also recommended the Government "pursue the possibility
of supporting the prescription of clinically tested cannabis products for
medicinal purposes".

That decision rests with Health Minister Annette King.

Her spokesman said the minister was awaiting the results of trials being
done in Britain before deciding.

The trials, examining the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for a
wide range of health problems, are expected to be completed by the end of
the year.