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Feb 2, 2010

NORML Presents "Powerful Ammunition" In Case For Law Change, Says Judge

An Auckland District Court Judge has acknowledged that cannabis law reformers have "powerful ammunition" in their campaign to end cannabis prohibition in New Zealand.

"NORML believes the continued persecution of cannabis users in New Zealand is in breach of the Bill of Rights Act", said NORML NZ President Phil Saxby today, "which is why Dakta Green, one of our Executive Board members, made application for a stay of proceedings on Bill of Rights issues".

Despite denying the application, Judge Anne Kiernan last week described evidence presented to the court by Dakta Green as "powerful ammunition" for persuading parliament to reform laws relating to cannabis.

Dakta Green, founder of New Zealand's first cannabis club The Daktory, is on trial this week after being arrested at a public cannabis protest in 2007. He believes he has been singled out by police officers who specifically target highly visible protest leaders like himself.

"Mr Green will defend himself in court in order to highlight that it is ordinary citizens who suffer under the cannabis laws, saying he will defend himself because he is not a criminal", said Mr Saxby.

He also felt it was regrettable that Judge Kiernan was unable to use the Bill of Rights Act to dismiss the charges against Dakta Green, but welcomed her comments. "At least the strong case against our repressive and draconian drug laws has been recognised by a New Zealand Court".

"We anticipate that the Law Commission's issues paper, due out within days, will also contribute to public awareness that our drug laws are heavy-handed, unjust and unworkable".

Mr Saxby is firm in his belief that the tide has turned on cannabis laws. "The cannabis debate is no longer about the risks that might be involved in smoking cannabis. We know it can be harmful, but we also know it is far less harmful than alcohol or tobacco; both of which are legally available but regulated and controlled, as cannabis sales should be".

"It is about the discrimination and prejudice clouding that debate and about the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders being criminalised every year for enjoying its use", he said.

"Drug discrimination is crippling our society and our economy", said Mr Saxby. "We urge politicians to consider the Law Commission's report, particularly in light of the advice given to Government back in 1972 when it was drafting the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975) that prohibition only be continued 'so long as it can be shown to be largely effective'".

Dakta Green's trial will commence today at 8:30 am at Auckland District Court and is expected to last three days.

ENDS

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