Ed

Stuff co.nz 10 July 2020
Our additional comment: So many good points in this excellent op-Ed. Including …
“ The gang-controlled black market for cannabis will still be thriving and in operation (contrary to what many would like you to believe) for teenagers to purchase drugs, which they’ll see as a very normal substance. Not only that, but when cannabis is legally grown in your neighbour’s backyard, there is no way to stop youth or anyone else for that matter, from taking it. As well as selling cannabis for cheaper prices because of no taxes, the black market will also host a much larger range of drugs to use after the gateway drug of cannabis. Police will also find it much harder to distinguish legally and illegally (gang) grown cannabis plants and shut down gang operations.”

OPINION: We are all familiar with the Government’s “Smokefree 2025” goals. On one hand, we’re saying it’s not good to smoke tobacco, and on the other, we’re saying that smoking cannabis is fine.

Children will be prohibited from purchasing cannabis if it becomes legalised in the 2020 referendum as you probably know, but most teenagers get their hands on alcohol and tobacco from friends and family, not retailers, so nothing is going to stop the same happening with cannabis.

The gang-controlled black market for cannabis will still be thriving and in operation (contrary to what many would like you to believe) for teenagers to purchase drugs, which they’ll see as a very normal substance. Not only that, but when cannabis is legally grown in your neighbour’s backyard, there is no way to stop youth or anyone else for that matter, from taking it.

As well as selling cannabis for cheaper prices because of no taxes, the black market will also host a much larger range of drugs to use after the gateway drug of cannabis. Police will also find it much harder to distinguish legally and illegally (gang) grown cannabis plants and shut down gang operations.

Many people liken cannabis to tobacco cigarettes and claim cannabis is less harmful and addictive. However, the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand concluded that long-term cannabis usage increases the risk of lung cancer.

NewsTalk ZB 8 July 2020
Our additional comment: Another Mike on Newstalk ZB (Mike Yardley this time) nails it….
“We already have an addiction-fueled mental health crisis in this country, much of which can be sheeted home to recreational cannabis abuse and psychosis. Why risk aggravating that problem even more, by normalising and legitimising dope, by surrendering on the law?”

I have a major beef with this mealy-mouthed suggestion from the Chief Science Advisor’s panel that it’s still uncertain whether legalising dope increases harm.

We already have an addiction-fueled mental health crisis in this country, much of which can be sheeted home to recreational cannabis abuse and psychosis. Why risk aggravating that problem even more, by normalising and legitimising dope, by surrendering on the law? There are so many unintended consequences, which I don’t believe this panel has fully considered.

Let me give you an example of the elevated threat of real harm to you and me. Drug-driving.

Last week the Road Transport Forum made their views very clear about the higher risks on our roads if recreational cannabis use is legalised. It raises the stakes on risk.

And bear in mind, the number of people being killed by drug impaired drivers on our roads is already higher than those killed by drivers above the legal alcohol limit. Do we want to ratchet that up?

Here’s some stats from various North American jurisdictions that legalised dope.

Post-legalisation in Colorado, cannabis-related roads deaths increased 151%. In Washington State, they doubled. A quarter of Canadians aged 18-34 who smoke dope admit to driving after consuming, or have been a passenger with someone who just has. Idiots.

In a 2018 Colorado State study, 27% of cannabis users admitted to driving high almost daily. And a New Zealand health study found that habitual users of cannabis have about 10 times the risk of causing a road injury or death compared to infrequent or non-users.

Ding ding. I hear alarm bells.
READ MORE: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mike-yardley-cannabis-uncertainty-is-a-cop-out/

NZ Herald 7 July 2020
Family First Comment: “Legalising cannabis has the potential to
* counter systemic racism
* see more treatment services
* lift poor communities embroiled in black market”

Yeah – but you don’t need to legalise a harmful addicted drug to tackle those issues. That’s a totally separate issue.
“We’re pretty sure of the situation at the moment. We’re much less sure of what will happen if we legalise it,” – Dr Gerrard

Legalising cannabis has the potential to counter systemic racism, see more treatment services and lift poor communities that have become embroiled in the black market, the chief science adviser to the Prime Minister says.

But Dr Juliet Gerrard says whether that would come to pass if the country voted to legalise recreational cannabis is unknown.

“We’re pretty sure of the situation at the moment. We’re much less sure of what will happen if we legalise it,” Gerrard told the Herald.

Gerrard has led an expert panel of academics, researchers and health and social experts – co-chaired by Auckland University Professor Tracey McIntosh – in gathering information to inform the debate in the lead up to September’s vote.

The panel’s work, peer-reviewed internationally and nationally, is going live at 11am today and contains a wealth of information.

Gerrard said the panel didn’t make any recommendations or take a position on the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill, which would set up the regulatory framework.

It compared the proposed legal framework to the status quo, looked at what has happened overseas, and dived into the health risks, including who is most at risk: users who start young, use frequently and use potent products.
READ MORE: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12346050

NewsHub 6 July 2020
Our additional comment: Duncan is right – ESPECIALLY with the possibility that vaping cannabis is a potential new threat on the horizon…
“In my view, vaping has one role and one role only. It is a great way to quit smoking. The more I learn and read about it, the more I think absolutely, yes it works. So I can’t sit here and say ‘ban it’, because it certainly helps those quitting smoking. Undeniably. It can change lives for the better. So as a ‘quit smoking’ tool, and a quit smoking tool only – why don’t we simply hand them out to those people wanting to ditch the durries for good?”

OPINION: Vaping – it’s the latest thing to try to screw our society.

Advertised as cool, hip and modern, I find it clunky and uncool. It kind of looks like you’re sucking your thumb. Just much more deadly.

And increasingly, it’s not the kids from the wrong side of the tracks taking up vaping. It’s too expensive for them. It’s the middle-class kids who never smoked – but now they vape.

So, here’s your AM Show wake up call guys.

In the USA, 33 people died in just six months from a mysterious lung disease linked to vaping. Compared to deaths associated with smoking, it’s very few, but this should serve as a warning.

In my view, vaping has one role and one role only. It is a great way to quit smoking.

The more I learn and read about it, the more I think absolutely, yes it works.

So I can’t sit here and say ‘ban it’, because it certainly helps those quitting smoking. Undeniably. It can change lives for the better.
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/07/duncan-garner-vaping-should-be-used-as-a-quit-smoking-tool-only-and-it-needs-regulation.html

NZ Catholic 3 July 2020
Our additional comment: “Regulation has been a dismal failure with alcohol where binge drinking and drunk driving by under 18-year-olds remain significant problems. No one disputes that marijuana is a harmful, addictive drug that has adverse effects on the physical and mental well-being of users. These are accentuated on the developing teenage brain. Legalising cannabis is, in effect ‘legitimising it’, so we will see, inevitably an increase in its use by teenagers. My experience working in high schools for the last 35 years tells me we will see more students using it if it is legalised. This, in turn, will lead to more of the following in teenagers:- driving while drugged, depression, suicidal ideation, poor academic results, dropping out of school, and anti-social behaviour, including crime and violence.” Mr Walsh said SAM-NZ does not wish to criminalise teenagers who use cannabis. “Certainly the first options should be an educative and therapeutic approach.”

A Catholic secondary school principal is among community leaders who have signed up to a new alliance of people who will work to oppose any attempt to legalise cannabis in New Zealand. 

Patrick Walsh, principal of John Paul College in Rotorua, is among the those in Smart Approaches to Marijuana NZ (SAM-NZ), the formation of which was announced this month. 

Spokesman Aaron Ironside described the coalition as being made up of “a wide-ranging group of organisations and experts from all areas of society to come together to argue against legalising the recreational use of cannabis, based on reputable science and sound principles of public health and safety”. 

Among their members are ex-addicts, educators, ex-police, addiction counsellors, health professionals and community workers. The formation of the coalition was announced in a statement from Family First. 

The coalition is urging people to vote “No” in the referendum at the general election later this year, which will ask people if they support the “Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill”.  

According to the Ministry of Justice, the proposed bill sets out a way for the Government to control and regulate cannabis. This regulatory model covers how people can produce, supply, or consume cannabis.
READ MORE: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2020/07/03/principal-joins-coalition-against-legalising-cannabis/

ScienceDaily 2 July 2020
Our additional comment: “Mothers who said they had used cannabis while pregnant were significantly more likely to report their children having clinical sleep problems. Those who used marijuana frequently were more likely to report somnolence symptoms (symptoms of excess sleepiness) in their children, such as trouble waking in the morning and being excessively tired during the day.”

Use marijuana while pregnant, and your child is more likely to suffer sleep problems as much as a decade later, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder study of nearly 12,000 youth.

TransportTalk 26 June 2020
It seems every time you tune into social media you get hit with the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s ‘Vote Yes’ campaign to legalise recreational cannabis.

The Drug Foundation wants people to vote yes in the upcoming election referendum. A yes vote will allow the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill to progress through normal processes into law.

It’s not the Road Transport Forum’s place to tell people how to vote in a referendum. But because there will be an impact on road safety, and the road is the workplace of those in freight transport, it is our place to ask people to be well informed when they go to vote.

The first step is to be clear that this is a vote for recreational, not medicinal cannabis use. Medicinal cannabis is legal in New Zealand via prescription from a doctor. If people tell you they need it for pain relief, or stress, or any other ill, tell them to go to the doctor and get a prescription.

Also, be aware there will be a whole lot more expensive bureaucracy put in place to manage recreational cannabis. That means even more public servants. The bill references a Cannabis Advisory Committee, Cannabis Appeals Authority, and Cannabis Regulatory Authority for starters. How much will all that cost and will it be funded by the tax payer?

In a country that has worked hard to stop people smoking, it will bring smoking back.

But most importantly from our perspective, the RTF believes the Bill, as drafted, gives no consideration to the principle of safety – on the road and in the workplace. We all share the roads – that’s pedestrians, cyclists, car and truck drivers – and everyone wants their loved ones to come home from work each day.

Already the number of people being killed by drug impaired drivers on New Zealand roads is higher than those killed by drivers above the legal alcohol limit. There have been years and years of media campaigns to stop people drinking and driving, but still they do it. So, what is planned to educate people on taking drugs and driving?

Higher risk on the roads automatically means higher insurance premiums across the board – insurance is risk priced and you pay on probability. When households and businesses are already managing tight finances, they shouldn’t be surprised by expenses that should be made clear up front.

In the lead up to the election, there will be a lot of media coverage of this issue. This week I was pleased to see responsible media giving the side of the story that highlighted impacts of drug use and road safety.

Stuff ran a piece from the Timaru Herald which gave some community views on the referendum, including that of former police officer Mark Offen.

He said: One of the common effects of cannabis was slow reactions which impaired evasive action and could be lethal on the road.

 “Behind the wheel of a car it can become a lethal weapon.”

He said a more efficient testing kit on the roadside was needed as currently an alleged offender had to be taken back to the station to be tested.

It’s worth a read here.

I also saw in the North Canterbury News the story of a Rangiora man seriously injured in a road crash caused by an alcohol and cannabis impaired driver. You can read Trevor White’s story here.

Trevor lived to tell his story, but many don’t. We don’t want New Zealand’s truck drivers, who are just going about their work delivering all New Zealanders the goods they need, to be the casualty of poorly thought out laws.

*Nick Leggett is CEO of the Road Transport Forum.
http://transporttalk.co.nz/columns/nick-leggett-voting/comment-page-1#comments

NewsTalk ZB 2 July 2020
Our additional comment: “…the government funded Drug Foundation did exactly that. They spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from we know not who, in telling you to vote yes. Where was Andrew Little then? Even after June 19, groups are still able to spend $100,000 money, once again from anyone they can get it from. Why is it a problem for Family First, and not for the Drug Foundation? Why didn’t Little ring Family First and ask them about SAM? And when they told him not a cent was coming from offshore, he would have been able to stay well out of the debate… Integrity and credibility are foundation traits for any government in any exercise of this sort. Little has blown that sky high.

Why on earth would the government, or Andrew Little in particular, be remotely bothered as to whether Family First were getting money for their “no” campaign against legalising dope in the vote in September.

The allegation is that a lobby group out of America called SAM is helping fund them. First and most important point is, it is not true. But what if it was? This is the government that doesn’t apparently hold a view. Ask the Prime Minister which way she’s voting, and she’ll run for the hills.

Ask Andrew Little he’ll do the same. He’ll spout platitudes about democracy, neutrality, and balance.

He is a hypocrite. His reaction  to a lobby group being involved in funding gives him away. He’s exercised because they’re losing the debate. The Colmar Brunton poll this week has the no vote winning 49 percent to 40.

And he thinks foreign money might swing support away from what he clearly wants, despite the fact he’s neutral.

The most egregious and hypocritical aspect of all of it, this is the government that put virtually no rules around this. This is the government that up until June 19th would allow you to promote your pro or anti cause using whatever money you wanted from who ever you got it from. And the government funded Drug Foundation did exactly that. They spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from we know not who, in telling you to vote yes.

Where was Andrew Little then? Even after June 19, groups are still able to spend $100,000 money, once again from anyone they can get it from. Why is it a problem for Family First, and not for the Drug Foundation? Why didn’t Little ring Family First and ask them about SAM? And when they told him not a cent was coming from offshore, he would have been able to stay well out of the debate.

There us nothing worst than dishonesty in these sort of matters. Why pretend to be neutral, when clearly you’re not? Why have a structure that allows any man and his dog to throw money at a cause with no public disclosure? And then when an incorrect allegation is tossed at the side you don’t like, you suddenly get all exercised about it and end up spouting false allegations off the back of no homework?

Integrity and credibility are foundation traits for any government in any exercise of this sort. Little has blown that sky high.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/video/mikes-minute-governments-cannabis-agenda-has-been-exposed/

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