What others have said about an instant fines regime

Read Nandor's Press Release on this subject.
Read Summary of Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.
Read Questions & Answers on the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.
Go to the full Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill.

"The frequency with which (cannabis is) being used makes it unrealistic to continue with prohibition. On the other hand, free and available supply is not realistic as it is a psychoactive substance. The middle ground that the Greens have proposed is probably the best compromise. What the Greens are proposing is a thoughtful, mainstream bill."
Professor David Fergusson
Director of the Christchurch Health and Development Study

"A lot of parents worry about their kids being dogged or stigmatised with a heavy criminal penalty for using cannabis when really the key issue we want to get across is a public health message."

Helen Clark says she does not support legalisation: "What I have said is that approaches around partial decriminalisation, partial prohibition, are well worth looking at."
Helen Clark
NZ Herald - 19 July 2002

"I sat through all the hearings on the select committee (NSW inquiry into cannabis law reform) and there was some pretty powerful evidence that the criminal status of marijuana was also seen to be a cause of some of the problems that young people have."
Annette King
The Dominion - 17 March 2000.

"I recommend several major changes to existing strategies….
a)that the first line of defence against the abuse of cannabis should be provided by non-legal sanctions
b)that these sanctions should be base on sound drug education
c)that the legal sanctions used to supplement other measures should be modelled on those now employed against the use of alcohol."
F.N.Fastier
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Otago University.
Submission 80 to Health committee inquiry into cannabis

"Any proposals to change legislation should ensure that adolescents receive the clear signal that smoking cannabis is 'Not OK'"
Pauline Gardener
Weltrust
Submission 84 to Health committee inquiry into cannabis

"There is a clear need for policies relating to cannabis to avoid criminalising the majority of occasional recreational users who do not appear to pose a risk to themselves or any one around them"
Professor David Fergusson
Christchurch Health and Development Study, Christchurch School of Medicine
Submission 85 to Health committee inquiry into cannabis

"The New Zealand Medical Association does not oppose partial decriminalisation of cannabis, provided it can be shown that this will not increase the adverse effects related to cannabis use. Under partial decriminalisation health authorities would be able to offer more organised preventative and quitting interventions."
New Zealand Medical Association
Submission 153 to Health committee inquiry into cannabis