National against softening of cannabis law

National remains against any softening of the law on the use of cannabis, says Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.

"This drug should remain illegal. The cannabis inquiry examined the most appropriate health strategies related to cannabis use and the most appropriate legal status.

"National believes the issue has been fully canvassed and there are no grounds for now passing it on to the Justice and Electoral Committee to consider the legal status of the drug, or the use of search without warrant powers.

"Cannabis has been shown to be harmful to the physical and mental health of individuals, and especially our youth.

"The only legitimate use of the components in cannabis that may relieve pain or nausea, would be in the form of a capsule or spray. These would have to go through all the usual processes used to register a drug, for example in the way that the pain relief drug morphine does.

"National opposes the Expert Advisory Committee on drugs giving high priority to reconsidering the classification of cannabis, and we also don't believe the Ministry of Justice should review the eligibility criteria for legal aid.

"We support the select committee recommendations on the effects of this drug in relation to youth, health programmes, research and education, and we respect the rights of schools to take a zero tolerance approach to drugs," Dr Scott said.

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