Thursday, 5 May 2005

Turner: Tanczos's R18 dope move another dirty trick

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner today laid waste to Green MP Nandor Tanczos's "dangerous" argument of an age limit of 18 for cannabis, saying that it simply means teens will use the same tinny houses and dealers they use now.

Mrs Turner described it as "a pathetic response that looks to weasel out of recent damning studies of cannabis and its links to psychosis in young users".

"Suggesting legalising cannabis only for those over 18 means one thing - those under 18 will continue to source their cannabis where they get it today - the gang-lead black market and the local tinny houses.

"That argument can have no other source other than to protect his pet drug at all costs, which is exactly what Mr Tanczos has sought to do throughout his parliamentary career.

"He has demonstrated yet again that he is utterly prepared to sacrifice the well-being of young New Zealanders so that he and others can smoke their drug - and he continues to do so in spite of finding such as the recent Otago University study that indicates that large numbers of young cannabis users will develop psychotic behaviour as adults.

"There is no less principled position emanating from Parliament today than one which will use our young as cannon-fodder for a pro-drug agenda," Mrs Turner said.

She took the whole issue of cannabis and drug law up with Justice Minister Phil Goff at Parliament's question time.

ENDS

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