Pubdate: Tue, 20 May 2014
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Geoff Noller
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Geoff Noller
Cited: JustSpeak: http://justspeak.org.nz/

CLEAR EYES NEEDED FOR CANNABIS REFORM

Your article Son of legal high critic charged over cannabis (May 17)
further highlights the problems generated by our out-of-synch cannabis
laws and the need for a vigorous and rational debate on cannabis
policy, as recently proposed by Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

The negative consequences of cannabis prohibition raised by [Carterton
councillor Jill] Greathead - criminal conviction, potential loss of
employment and travel opportunities, not to mention the emotional
trauma which could have had tragic consequences - are clearly
disproportionate to the offence her son committed.

As the young persons' justice reform organisation Justspeak notes,
between 1994 and 2011 drug possession charges leading to prosecution
for 10-16 year olds almost doubled, while warnings have decreased.

It is well time that as a nation we grasped the nettle of cannabis law
reform, thereby opening the door to education, greater opportunity and
less harm for our young people.

Geoff Noller Dunedin 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D