Nandor's Bill is mainstream solution to prohibition crisis

Read Summary of Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.
Read Questions & Answers on the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.
Read 'What others have said about an instant fines regime'.
Go to the full Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.

"The new private member's bill I am launching today aims to remove the central injustice of cannabis prohibition while meeting many people's concerns that its use should be discouraged," Green MP Nandor Tanczos says.

Nandor's Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill introduces instant fines for possession of small amounts of cannabis, an improved version of the decriminalisation model used in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. An analogy under current law to the proposed approach is speeding tickets.

"There is widespread agreement across the political divide and throughout the community about the problems of prohibition," Nandor says.

"I have spoken to people all over New Zealand about their concerns and I have listened to them. This Bill is an attempt to find a workable solution that addresses the concerns of most people.

"Most New Zealanders recognise that a criminal record for the personal use of cannabis is a disproportionate punishment, but many still want to retain a message that cannabis use is to be discouraged, particularly by young people. This bill meets both of those objectives.

"Some politicians want to polarise the debate for their own political ends. The Greens are looking for consensus around points of agreement. This is mainstream stuff.

"While it is not assured that the Bill will be drawn from this week's ballot, this very moderate step will be on the table in any post-election negotiations between the Greens and Labour.

"This Bill is also the first time that provisions have been introduced that are specifically targeted at keeping cannabis away from kids. People under 18 caught with small amounts of cannabis will, in addition to the other sanctions, be required to participate in an approved drug education programme. And adults using cannabis within 100 metres of a place predominantly used by young people will attract a more significant fine.

"Today I issue a challenge to other political parties - support this Bill or make it clear how they will resolve the prohibition crisis. Some politicians have explicitly said that simply being an idea from the Greens is a good enough reason to oppose it. They should grow up; they're supposed to be legislators charged with doing what's best for all New Zealanders," Nandor says.

Green Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley welcomes Nandor's bill as a positive move: "By taking an approach like this we can focus on cannabis as a health issue rather than as a crime, while still discouraging young people from using it," she says.