Press Release: to all media 4 November, 1999 **NEWS**

Misuse of Drugs Act to be torched in Christchurch

The disreputable Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 will burn in a symbolic Guy Fawkes celebration on Friday (city mall at 1:30pm), as legalisers peacefully claim Christchurch for the cannabis party, and liberation for all.

"There is growing consensus that the Act maintains an 'injustice industry gravy train' at the expense of community safety, and that prohibition makes people want to use drugs", says Christchurch ALCP spokesman, Kevin O'Connell.

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party does not encourage drugs, but believes in adults' right to liberty, where this does not unreasonably impinge on others. "So we are standing against the Police state's impingement on OUR freedom- and for NZ's right to self-determination in respect of nature's bountiful creation."

The ALCP will reintroduce hemp farming to provide sustainably for virtually every human need, "and liberate NZ at last from moral, social, economic and ecological subversion", says the #3 list, and Waimakariri candidate.

When the Misuse of Drugs Act was introduced in 1975, the NZ Board of Health recommended retaining a prohibition on cannabis "so long as this may be seen to be largely effective". A quarter century later, with a million police hours per annum now expended violating the civil liberties of pot smokers, there appears to be very little impact on the size of the market (estimated to be over 200 tonnes or $2 billion per annum- Auckland University Geography Department, 1998).

"The use by date of the legislation is well past. Evidence shows marijuana should be a health and education issue, not a criminal one"- Most notably, the twice tabled "law review" recommendations of Parliament's Health Select Committee indicate the existing cannabis policy is inappropriate and unsustainable. The outgoing Government has pretended, however, not to hear the call of reason.

"Accordingly, and in conscientious objection to the existing corruption of authority and abuse of the innocent, we are burning the MDA in a show of contempt, and declaring our territory in the City mall a PROHIBITION-FREE ZONE". Press Release: to all media 4 November, 1999 **NEWS**

Misuse of Drugs Act to be torched in Christchurch

The disreputable Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 will burn in a symbolic Guy Fawkes celebration on Friday (city mall at 1:30pm), as legalisers peacefully claim Christchurch for the cannabis party, and liberation for all.

"There is growing consensus that the Act maintains an 'injustice industry gravy train' at the expense of community safety, and that prohibition makes people want to use drugs", says Christchurch ALCP spokesman, Kevin O'Connell.

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party does not encourage drugs, but believes in adults' right to liberty, where this does not unreasonably impinge on others. "So we are standing against the Police state's impingement on OUR freedom- and for NZ's right to self-determination in respect of nature's bountiful creation."

The ALCP will reintroduce hemp farming to provide sustainably for virtually every human need, "and liberate NZ at last from moral, social, economic and ecological subversion", says the #3 list, and Waimakariri candidate.

When the Misuse of Drugs Act was introduced in 1975, the NZ Board of Health recommended retaining a prohibition on cannabis "so long as this may be seen to be largely effective". A quarter century later, with a million police hours per annum now expended violating the civil liberties of pot smokers, there appears to be very little impact on the size of the market (estimated to be over 200 tonnes or $2 billion per annum- Auckland University Geography Department, 1998).

"The use by date of the legislation is well past. Evidence shows marijuana should be a health and education issue, not a criminal one"- Most notably, the twice tabled "law review" recommendations of Parliament's Health Select Committee indicate the existing cannabis policy is inappropriate and unsustainable. The outgoing Government has pretended, however, not to hear the call of reason.

"Accordingly, and in conscientious objection to the existing corruption of authority and abuse of the innocent, we are burning the MDA in a show of contempt, and declaring our territory in the City mall a PROHIBITION-FREE ZONE".

Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the seat of oppressive power, but the ALCP intend to simply "blow them away". With the Wizard's assistance, and democracy finally in action under MMP, there could be fireworks on Friday in the City Mall!!

Kevin O'Connell, (03) 389 4065 VOTE LEGALISE

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