August 17, 2016
Compassion part of Green drug prescription
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says neither compassion nor concern for human rights would inspire the current government to change cannabis laws.
A survey commissioned by the Drug Foundation has found a majority of New Zealanders back a change, especially with regards to medical marijuana.
Ms Turei says despite what Prime Minister John Key believes, people are still being imprisoned for cannabis offences, a disproportionate number of them Maori.
"(We should) deal with it as a justice issue, that is, adults have a right to make these choices for themselves and the law should only be used to protect those who are vulnerable, and then we have really good health access so if people are suffering from their cannabis use they can safely get access to the help they need without fear of the law. Surely that is the best situation for everybody," she says.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com