Time To Declare Truce In War On Cannabis Users

Wednesday, 14 April 2010, 5:08 pm
Press Release: NORML

Time To Declare Truce In War On Cannabis Users, Says Norml

Dakta Green, Auckland spokesperson for marijuana law reform organisation NORML NZ, today called for a truce in the war on cannabis as he prepares to take Mary Jane the Cannabus out on the ‘Armistice Tour’ to urge the Government to change its stance on our out-of-date and failed drug laws.

Mr Green – the founder of Auckland’s Daktory cannabis club – hits the road this Friday April 16 on a two-week tour that will see him and the Cannabus cover the North Island, inviting everyday Kiwis to come and discuss the best way to repair the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“Everybody is allowed to have their say on changes to the drug laws recommended by the New Zealand Law Commission”, said Dakta Green, “and we will be gathering as many public submissions as possible while we go.”

Public submissions to the Commission close on April 30. The Armistice Tour’s destination is Wellington where Dakta Green will personally deliver the collected submissions to the Law Commission himself, before celebrating International J-Day at Frank Kitts Park the following day on May 1.

With a fortnight left to go, NORML already has more than 600 completed submissions calling for the Commission to recommend an end to the criminalisation of cannabis smokers.

The two-week Armistice Tour will see the Cannabus drop into heartland communities like Patea, Whanganui and Palmerston North, sparking discussion on law reform and making further plans to establish Daktories nationwide, spreading the Daktory ethos of “live like it’s legal”.

Dakta Green says the tour is a call to action for everyone who wants fairness, justice and compassion rather than the continuation of a failed and futile Prohibition policy.

“Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol and it’s certainly not working for cannabis” he says. “We’re wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer’s dollars a year arresting, processing and prosecuting ordinary New Zealanders for choosing to use a drug that is proven to be far safer than tobacco and alcohol.”

“It’s time for clear and rational thinking on this matter. The Law Commission has already made some constructive recommendations in its discussion document, particularly with regards to allowing medical cannabis. On the Armistice Tour we’ll be publicly debating this vital justice issue and encouraging our fellow New Zealanders to have their say.

“Current drug laws pit Kiwi against Kiwi by criminalising Maori, working class Pakeha, and Pasifika communities. We’re calling for an Armistice – a truce in this Drug War that attacks ordinary New Zealand families. We want peace and justice. God Defend our Free Land”, Dakta Green concluded.

ENDS