Ed

SunLive 3 October 2020
Our additional comment: Well said Larry (as always 🙂 )
“Marijuana is often portrayed as harmless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Marijuana changed my personality, altered my motivations in life, and distorted my perception of reality and what I should be pursuing as a career.” Before embarking on a lifestyle of smoking dope he found he was in the top academic classes at Tauranga Boys’ College. He says taking up smoking marijuana caused him to drop well down to the lower achieving sixth form classes.”
A common occurrence – sadly.

In this year’s General Election, as well as voting for future leaders, we can also vote in a referendum on whether the recreational use of cannabis should become legal.

The Weekend Sun asked Tauranga City Councillor Larry Baldock, who himself was once a regular dope smoker, whether he was voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

“There are many reasons why I will vote ‘no’ in the upcoming referendum,” says Larry.

Larry recounts being raised by his solo mum in Gate Pa, alongside five siblings.

“In the spring of 1969 after I had just turned 15, a friend asked me if I wanted to try something exciting called LSD. I had not taken any drugs before, or even been anywhere near drunk, but this sounded like it might be fun.

“I can’t deny that it was.”

Larry spent the following six years smoking marijuana a lot and taking LSD every now and then.

“I was lucky as a teenager to have escaped some of the deadly consequences of drug use in the wild experimental times of the late 60s and early 70s. Some of my friends did not.”

Larry says most rational thinking people know that LSD, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin are dangerous, but says marijuana is often portrayed as harmless.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Marijuana changed my personality, altered my motivations in life, and distorted my perception of reality and what I should be pursuing as a career.”
READ MORE: https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/253228-larry-on-cannabis-yes-or-no.html

NZ Herald 3 October 2020
Our additional comment: “…of the “thousands” who communicate through a particularly active online forum for former police staff, most will vote against the introduction of the bill, and only “a handful” will disagree.”
Of course. Police know the harm and have had to mop it up. They’re realists. We should listen to them.

To police officers who have dealt with cannabis-addled offenders over the years kicking the Cannabis Legalisation Bill to the kerb is a no-brainer.

Speaking ahead of the referendum being conducted in conjunction with the general election, former Napier detective Barry Searle says that of the “thousands” who communicate through a particularly active online forum for former police staff, most will vote against the introduction of the bill, and only “a handful” will disagree.

A former workmate paints the picture even more precisely, saying there were 6304 members last time he looked, and there’d be just “maybe four” who are in favour of the bill.

Now living in Taupo, the 66-year-old Searle says there are six adult voters in the family, and none will be supporting the introduction of the bill.

Having spent 14 years in the police before turning to private investigation and then loss adjustment in the insurance industry, he says most police and other emergency service workers will have seen the worst impacts of cannabis use, which is essentially benchmarked by damage to the health of young users.

While there are strong penalties proposed for anyone supplying cannabis to people aged under 20 years, he doesn’t see it deterring teenaged and even childhood use of cannabis, and given the forbidden-fruit allure of cigarettes and alcohol to young people it is possible young people’s use will increase if legalisation takes place.

He has no issue with the medicinal use already provided for, or big concern about adult use, although he does highlight the now publicly-recorded impacts of adults who took to cannabis use in their jobs, as undercover police officers investigating illicit drug dealing.

He says to put any of the issues ahead of the health questions related to young people’s use, and other excessive use, “makes no sense”.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12369882

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NZ Herald 2 October 2020
More and more New Zealand farmers are planting a crop that they were banned from growing for eight decades or so.

They are setting aside land to raise hemp, for use in cereals, oils and textiles.

It’s still very much in its infancy, but for some, hemp is seen as a useful crop to offer diversity on the farm.

As big money flows into medicinal cannabis, and with the upcoming referendum on recreational cannabis use, hemp’s profile is rising — even though it is far removed from the narcotic strain that gets all the attention.

Proponents wax lyrical about hemp’s many uses — everything from hemp oil for joint health through to “hempcrete” for construction. To its backers, hemp really is the miracle plant.

They say the plant can also offer benefits to the landowner, through its ability to lock up carbon.

Research into growing hemp in New Zealand started in 2006, and the regulations covering the crop were amended at the end of 2018.

In that time an industry has built up, particularly around hempseed and oil.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12369573

Radio NZ News 1 October 2020
Our additional comment: “We have broken systems when it comes to alcohol and pokie machines and both alcohol and pokie machines are all over my community in South Auckland and all over communities with higher deprivation, lower income families. The model brought out here with this cannabis bill is to basically re-do the same model. If government can’t control the harm and damage that comes to families through pokie machines and alcohol, how the hell are they going to control the harm that comes from cannabis because I believe it’s a business model that’s putting forward profit over people,” – Ronji Tanielu.

The question of whether cannabis should be legal has divided New Zealanders for years, but what does the Pacific community think of the bill?

The 2018-2019 New Zealand Health Survey found 15 percent of adults had used cannabis in the past year – but for Pacific, the figure was slightly higher at 17 percent.

Pacific community leaders around New Zealand have weighed in on what the cannabis legalisation and control referendum will mean for their communities.

South Auckland community worker Ronji Tanielu is strongly against the bill and said lower income families, including Māori and Pacific, would be harmed if the bill became law.

“We have broken systems when it comes to alcohol and pokie machines and both alcohol and pokie machines are all over my community in South Auckland and all over communities with higher deprivation, lower income families.

“The model brought out here with this cannabis bill is to basically re-do the same model.

“If government can’t control the harm and damage that comes to families through pokie machines and alcohol, how the hell are they going to control the harm that comes from cannabis because I believe it’s a business model that’s putting forward profit over people,” Tanielu said.

Tanielu has said increased consumption of cannabis would damage all four pillars of one’s holistic health.

“Research shows that prolonged use of cannabis, especially at higher THC level has direct impact on suicide, respiratory problems, some mental health issues, psychosis, lung cancer, heart issues and an increase in the number of hospitalisation, so in terms of health for Pacific people, it’s a disaster.”

Tanielu has rejected claims that decriminalising cannabis will mean fewer people will end up in prison.

In August, National leader Judith Collins revealed the entire National party caucus had decided to vote against the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill in the referendum.
READ MORE: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/427339/pacific-leaders-weigh-in-on-cannabis-referendum

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NewsHub 30 September 2020
Our additional comment: Yet another poll pointing in the right direction.
Vote NO

Smoking a joint looks set to remain a criminal offence with the latest Newshub Reid-Research poll showing a majority of voters will vote ‘no’ in the referendum, but the referendum on euthanasia looks set to pass.

New Zealanders will be asked in the upcoming election whether they support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill.

The proposed Bill outlines a way for the Government to regulate cannabis. Its main purpose is to reduce cannabis-related harm to individuals, families, whānau and communities.

The bill intends to restrict young people’s access to cannabis, eliminate the illegal supply of cannabis and ensure only New Zealanders aged 20 and over are able to possess or consume the drug in limited circumstances. It would also control the production and supply of cannabis, including controlling the potency and contents of licensed cannabis and cannabis products.

Our Newshub Reid-Research poll asked: “Do you support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill?”

• 50.5 percent said ‘no’
• 37.9 percent said ‘yes’
• 10.9 percent ‘didn’t know’
• 0.8 percent won’t vote

Support is most likely to come from Green voters (85.5 percent yes), followed by Labour supporters (45.9 percent yes) with National voters likely to be strongly opposed (71.6 percent no).
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-new-poll-shows-recreational-cannabis-likely-to-remain-a-criminal-offence.html

New poll: Kiwis back euthanasia, support for legalising cannabis going up in smoke
NZ Herald 30 September 2020
Personal use of cannabis is likely to remain illegal according to latest poll numbers, as support for the bill continues to slip before the approaching referendum.

The latest Newshub Reid-Research poll showed just 37.9 per cent of responders saying they will vote yes to the proposition.

In just over two weeks, voters will have their say over a potential legal cannabis market; which would allow for special bars for consumption, special outlets and sales and strict rules for home-grown cannabis.

New Zealanders will be asked in the upcoming election whether they support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12369350

NZ Herald 30 September 2020
Our additional comment: An Auckland landlord has been left with a $400,000 repair bill after their million dollar rental’s occupants ran a cannabis growing operation that sparked a major fire. Yet the tenants will now contribute just $800 to directly help with the insurer’s repair costs

An Auckland landlord has been left with a $400,000 repair bill after their million dollar rental’s occupants ran a cannabis growing operation that sparked a major fire.

Yet the tenants will now contribute just $800 to directly help with the insurer’s repair costs, a recent Tenancy Tribunal decision showed.

The tenants will, however, have to fork out another $22,000 to cover unpaid rent and other minor expenses incurred by the property owner.

Tenant Hiep Tuan Luu told the tribunal hearing he didn’t know the home was being used to grow cannabis because he hadn’t been living there.

Instead, he had been illegally sub-letting it to a friend.

That ultimately led to the Flat Bush home – which has a $1.1 million council valuation – catching alight on November 30 last year.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12369110

TVNZ One News 30 September 2020
Our additional comment: “The Salvation Army has seen the consequences of liberalising gambling and liquor legislation and the insurmountable difficulty in dialling back the legislation once negative consequences emerge. Cannabis is not the benign substance that many people would have us believe – cannabis can have significantly harmful effects related to addiction, mental illness and motivation and we see this in our addiction treatment services.”

The Salvation Army says it does not support the legalisation of cannabis in New Zealand, ahead of the upcoming referendum, but does believe decriminalising casual use would be beneficial.

NewsTalk ZB 29 September 2020
Family First Comment: The yes camp has never really had anything more than the most spurious of ideas that it should be legalised simply because a lot of people do it. And in that, never really understanding just how stupid that concept is. If you can find enough people doing anything against law, is that good enough to legalise it? 
Texting while driving, drinking while driving, hitting other people when you lose your temper, stealing other people’s possessions whether by fraud or robbery, there’s plenty of it about, so let’s change the law?

NewsHub 29 September 2020
Our additional comment: “We try to help people not develop cannabis addiction, so giving them access to much more than they could hope to use in a day does nothing to help people with problem behaviour,” – SayNopeToDope’s Aaron Ironside.

Opponents to cannabis legalisation say the amount people could buy each day would make those with heavy addictions worse.

The Bill that has been put forward is a guide for how legalisation might work and suggests a daily purchase limit of 14 grams dried cannabis or the equivalent of that.

Aaron Ironside, who leads the Say Nope to Dope campaign, said that limit would make it easy for heavy users to keep up their habit.

“We try to help people not develop cannabis addiction, so giving them access to much more than they could hope to use in a day does nothing to help people with problem behaviour,” Ironside said.

The drug is far more restricted in Uruguay than it would be if legalised here, or compared to other countries with legalised recreational cannabis use.

But does that mean Uruguay is preventing heavy cannabis use that Ironside is concerned about? No.

“I think that’s the whole point of why we oppose this Bill,” Ironside said.

“It is the pretence of control, and ultimately trying to control it through these artificial mechanisms does nothing to actually help people with problematic behaviour.

“The answer is in strengthening our health and education approach. That doesn’t require you to set up a cannabis shop.”

They say 14 grams would usually last between two to four weeks, while some less regular users could take six months to get through that much.

Ironside compared the purchase of 14 grams of cannabis to being able to buy three bottles of vodka in one day.
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/nz-election-2020-cannabis-legalisation-opponents-say-proposed-limit-could-make-addictions-worse.html

NZ Herald 28 September 2020
Family First Comment: “Does it make sense to sell cannabis to adults to raise tax money to fund programmes that teach teenagers not to do what the adults are doing.”

With New Zealand just weeks away from heading to the polls, Kiwis will be faced with a rather big decision – should cannabis be legalised?

While it sounds like a straightforward question, there are a lot of elements that people are unsure about when it comes to the cannabis referendum.

Instead of going into the October 17 decision with a hazy mind, Jono and Ben have run through the ins and outs of what is involved in the referendum.

They posed a list of questions, all of which have been answered and help you in your decision ahead of the referendum, and spoken to representatives from both the yes and no camps.

However, mental health professional Aaron Ironside told Jono and Ben he’s concerned youth will be more exposed to cannabis.

He says the current laws and guidelines already address the criminality and medicinal element and questions whether the referendum brings any added benefits.

“A mental health professional what I see is the effects of addiction, the effects of psychosis.

Unfortunately, the most vulnerable people for cannabis are young people. The question is does this law do anything to help them? It doesn’t. It locks them out of the legal shops, what it does do is people will be growing cannabis in their back yard, making cannabis that little bit easier to get hold of, as if it needed to be easier.

“And when the shop won’t let you buy from them you’re forced to go back to the tinny house, to the black market.”

“Does it make sense to sell cannabis to adults to raise tax money to fund programmes that teach teenagers not to do what the adults are doing.

“This is not about medicinal, that’s already legal, and the criminal problem is already being addressed because we changed the misuse of drugs act so now it’s written into law that you are not to get a conviction for personal use. You’re to be treated as a health concern.

“So the two big issues most of us are worried about, medicinal and criminality, have already been dealt with, so we don’t need a new law. One that will create new problems, won’t make the black market go away, but will expose young people to marijuana.”
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12368530

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