Drug Law Reform - Policy Summary

Key Principles

The Green Party recognises that:

• A drug-free lifestyle is the healthiest;
• All drugs can cause harm, regardless of their legal status.
• Not all drug use is problematic.
• Some current government policies do not reduce harm but rather create a further set of problems.

Goals

• To reduce drug abuse;
• To reduce the illegal drug market;
• To minimise the harm of legal and illegal drugs on society and individual users.

Specific Policy Points

1.Immediate Steps

• More funding for drug education programmes in schools and communities.
• Establish a Ministerial Advisory Group on Drug Education to evaluate and improve drug education. (Greens initiated the drug education best practise guidelines published by the Ministry of Youth Development).
• Prioritise the prosecution of crimes such as violent offences ahead of personal cannabis possession.
• Enable doctors to prescribe cannabis products for severely ill patients.

2. Medium Term Steps

• Ban broadcast alcohol advertising and direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals.
• Introduce a legal age limit of 18 years for personal cannabis use.
• Define in law the limits on growing cannabis for personal use.
• Ensure it remains an offence to drive while under the influence of cannabis.
• Support strong integration of, and better resourcing for, mental health and substance misuse services.
• Place tighter controls on highly addictive prescription drugs.

3. Longer Term Steps

• Review all drug-related legislation to ensure consistency and a harm reduction approach.
• Monitor and evaluate the effects of the removal of personal penalties for cannabis use, drug education programmes, drug addiction treatment programmes, and pharmaceutical controls.