Welfare Reforms Breach Bill of Rights - ALCP.

No one should be subject to workplace drug testing when they have used Cannabis outside work hours, ALCP's leader Michael Appleby says.

The introduction of drug testing for welfare recipients will only punish beneficiaries and in many cases will force them into crime to earn a living.

Mr Appleby said Medical Marijuana users would be singled out and unjustly targeted to lose the dole because of the reforms.

"New Zealand is the only Western country with Draconian medical Marijuana prohibition laws, which have made our country the laughing stock of the developed World," he said.

Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Europe and the United States all allow Cannabis to be grown for medical use. New Zealand is maintaining a fascist law which denies sick and dying patients comfort and healing.

"If ALCP is elected to Parliament next year we will stand up for the rights of these 5800 beneficiaries and the thousands of professional workers who are targeted for cannabis use in their own time, even though it has no impact on their performance at work. Cannabis metabolites can show up in drug tests over a month after the Cannabis was used," Mr Appleby said.

"We believe the Drug Detection Agency has breached the rights of beneficiaries to be protected from unreasonable search and surveillance of their private lives and the DDA must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Mr Appleby said many New Zealanders relied on Cannabis to treat illness and injury and their use of the herb should have no bearing over whether they are eligible for the dole.

Judith Collins is extending the already farcical war on plants to push venerable New Zealanders into poverty and crime. If elected, ALCP will require the Government to compensate anyone who loses their job or benefit because of Cannabis use.

ENDS

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