CANNABIS AND SUICIDE

Dear Editor,

Contrary to the "reefer madness" allegations promoted by Wellington Coroner
Garry Evans, there is no evidence to suggest that cannabis causes suicide.

Parliament's health select committee investigated the mental health effects
of cannabis and found in their 1998 report that "the involvement of
cannabis was by association, as opposed to causation... Evidence suggests
that cannabis use is not a causal factor in suicide."

Coroners, mental health workers and police officers tend to see only the
"bottom of the barrel", so they may form a biased view against cannabis.
The truth is that most cannabis users do not experience problems other than
the detrimental effects of the current law. Our organisation believes the
relatively small number who do experience problems would be better helped
by treatment instead of a jail.

Prohibitionists such as Mr Evans should consider whether creating an
environment of persecution and paranoia is the best response to their
concerns about cannabis. All the available evidence suggests that
decriminalisation increases the uptake of mental health and treatment
services while reducing overall harms.

The health select committee's current inquiry into cannabis policies should
give a clear recommendation to end cannabis prohibition.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Fowlie, National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New
Zealand.