CANNABIS

GREG O'CONNOR, of the Police Association, should reconsider his claim that
a recent ruling in the Auckland District Court will not change the way
police operate ( ODT , 18.2.02). Judge Gittos found that police were
wrongly invoking the Misuse of Drugs Act when they searched Norml president
Chris Fowlie last year on the grounds that they could smell cannabis. This
ruling will have a major impact on the actions of police.

Many New Zealanders have experienced the indignity of a police search
because police suspect they may be in possession of cannabis. However,
searching an individual under a loose interpretation of the Misuse of Drugs
Act is no longer acceptable. This is a victory for justice and should help
to bridge the gap between the justice system and many disenfranchised New
Zealanders, thus encouraging an overall greater social wellbeing.

Mr O'Connor, by the way, does not represent the actual New Zealand Police
force, which has stated it will respect the decision.

Duncan Eddy

City Rise