Posted August 9, 2002
(MarijuanaNews note: New Zealand has perhaps the highest rate of cannabis use in
the world. A study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in December of
last year, showed about 50 percent of young people had used cannabis at least
once in the 12 months before their 21st birthdays. At least 75 percent of young
New Zealanders had used cannabis at least once by age 26.

And they also have one of the highest rates for cannabis arrests in the
world.

Nonetheless, NZ prohibitionists, especially the organized pedants, are among
the most ideologically committed.
See
Do New Zealand
Educators Have Any Intellectual Standards? Is Their Ideology More Important Than
Their Students? Weigh the Evidence. That Is More Than They Do.
and
Chairman of The
Youth Trust of New Zealand Parrots DEAland Lies About Dutch. Whom Can Youth
Trust?
and
Reefer Madness in New
Zealand Op-ed Says “We Are Killing Our Kids With Cannabis’.” And A Little
Prohibitionist Humor.

They oppose any reform with the usual clichés about protecting the youth,
warning that not arresting adults would somehow lead to an increase in use by
young people. It would seem that the only way use could increase would be to
make it mandatory!

New Zealand also suffers from the usual wretched journalism that
characterizes so much reporting on cannabis. But there are some notable
exceptions.
See
Honest Journalism
From New Zealand Tries to Deal With the Questions About Legalization That Apply
Everywhere.

And New Zealand has some of the best cannabis activists. Chris Fowlie of NZ
NORML is a very bright fellow.
See
New Zealand NORML
Notes Unhappy 25th Birthday For Kiwi Marijuana Prohibition.

I have enormous respect for New Zealand activist, Blair Anderson, who is a
leader of the “Mild Greens”
faction.
See
New Zealanders’ Analysis
of the Consequences of the Violence of Marijuana Prohibition. Bravo!

and
Debate Heats Up As New
Zealand Begins to “Study” Cannabis Use. Perhaps They Should Also Study the
Effects of Prohibition and the Dangers of the Therapeutic State. — 2 Items.

However, when I first read his press release (immediately below) I thought
that it was either satire or he had surely misunderstood what the leaders of the
NZ Labour Party had agreed to.

But no, this is another one we couldn’t make up.

The Labour party entered in to a written agreement that included the
statement:
“The Government will not introduce legislation to change the legal status of
cannabis and will implement a comprehensive drug strategy aimed at protecting
young people and educating them on the dangers of drug use.”

Never mind that these two positions are mutually exclusive! Cannabis
prohibition is the greatest single impediment to “drug education.”
See


The Need For Drug Prohibition Education.
Analysis By Richard Cowan.
How Can Parents Tell Their Children The Truth In A Sea Of Lies About Marijuana?

Never mind that in July of 1994 the Prime Minister proclaimed
“I say it is time to
revisit our current policy on marijuana, and to implement more appropriate and
effective policy”

In an agreement that may well be illegal, because – as noted below — drug
regulations “based on evidence, not politics” became NZ law in November 2000 –
the Labour politicians sold their souls to the prohibitionists, and sold out
the young people of New Zealand to the black market drug dealers and arbitrary
police practices. No wonder that young people – remember 75% of them are
“criminals” in New Zealand – are cynical about politicians.

As usual Blair Anderson’s critique of their folly is devastating.)

Labour Coalition Clinched On Cannabis Hate Crime
Friday, 9 August 2002, 11:41 am
Press Release: Mild Greens 8/8/2 Press Release:
MILD GREENS
http://www.mildgreens.com
initiatives@mildgreens.com

Mild Green Initiatives phone ++64 3 389-4065

Election 2002: Labour Coalition Clinched On Cannabis Hate Crime

Labour has shafted New Zealanders in an incomprehensible and despicable
cow-towing to the “anti cannabis lobby” - as 3-year coalition supply and
confidence deals were signed today amongst Helen Clark, Peter Dunne and Jim
Anderton’s “Progressive Coalition”.
(MarijuanaNews note: The New Zealand Parliament has 120
seats. Labour got only 52 in last month’s elections, so it needed the support of
some of the other parties to be able to form a government.

To get these votes they entered into a written agreement (see below)
with two social conservative parties, the United Future (presumably opposed to
the disunited past?) with eight seats and Jim Anderton’s Progressive Coalition
which has two seats. Both of these parties are officially prohibitionist.

On July 22,
The New
Zealand Herald reported the position of the
various parties on cannabis.

Ironically, it reported that Labour has “No concrete policy on reform. The
instant fine system taken on in South Australia is one the party would be
interested in looking into further as is the recent liberalising of the laws in
Britain.”

Well, that didn’t last long, did it?

The United Future is self-described as ” implacably opposed to
decriminalisation. Believe it is one of the greatest dangers facing our
children. Setting age limits or decriminalisation is not sending the right
message to children. Believe it is too simplistic to simply throw the law
out.”
See
The Clichés of
Prohibitionism: “Sending the Wrong Message.”

Jim Anderton’s Progressive Coalition: “Anti drugs including cannabis. Not
interested in decriminalisation. Wants to stop ‘tacit approval’ of the drug, and
start talking about its effects. Open to helping those found in possession if it
helps get to suppliers and growers. Looking into ways and means of seizing
assets of serious repeat offenders, and at a harsher penalty for supplying
children with cannabis.”


The Dominion quoted Anderton on June 24th as
saying, “For some reason, at the same time as New Zealand is running
anti-smoking tobacco campaigns we are also sending out messages that it’s all
right to smoke marijuana. Smoking marijuana is at least as harmful as smoking
tobacco.”
See
New Zealand
Pharmacologist Responds to Prohibitionist Editorial. Brilliant Argument and
Interesting History.
and


“Tobacco A More Dangerous Drug Than Marijuana, But It’s Still Legal” — Colorado
Physician
and
David
Hadorn Writes:
Beyond A Reasonable Doubt Cannabis Is Substantially Less Harmful Than Alcohol Or
Tobacco
and
Great London Times
Column and News From New Zealand Compare Marijuana and Alcohol
and links

The Mild Greens are calling Helen Clark and Parliament into contempt, for
pre-empting their cannabis review process and imposing an unethical 3 year
moratorium against “legislative moves to alter the legal status of cannabis” -
ENGENDERING HATE AMONGST NEW ZEALANDERS in defiance of the evidence.

All who made submissions on health strategies for cannabis to the Health Select
Committee legal status review (2000-2002 Cannabis Health Inquiry, lapsed) should
protest the breach of faith and wholesale abuse of civil liberty, democracy and
due process to the Clerk of the House, say the Mild Greens. “and people should
ring MPs and make their feelings known”.
See
New
Zealand Parliament’s Health Select Committee Repeats Call
For “The Government to review the appropriateness of existing policy on cannabis

and its use and reconsider the legal status of cannabis.”

Drug regulations “based on evidence, not politics” became
NZ law in November 2000, but the promise of a fair adjudication on marijuana has
been stolen away today by Helen Clark and Right-wing coalition tail-wagger Peter
Dunne of the United Future party.
See
A Major
Contribution — Regulate And Tax Cannabis -
Full Text of New Zealand Drug Policy Forum Final Report

While one conservative nine-member caucus appears to have pushed for this
unprecedented and illiberal “drug user apartheid” move, Government has, without
explanation or debate, pre-judged New Zealand’s half-million cannabis consumers
as guilty - remanded another 3 years.

Contrary to all evidence heard by the Judy Keall chaired health promotion
inquiry, the policy analysis has not even been discussed. (Health Professionals
where are you??)

Judy Keall, now a former MP, admitted to Mild Greens during the Christchurch
hearing of the Inquiry, that according to the evidence she was hearing on
cannabis-related health strategies, “all drugs should be legalised”.

The coalition agreement requires a “drug education strategy”, but the Mild
Greens point to the previous 1998 Health Select Committee
inquiry into the Mental Health Effects of Cannabis, which concluded that “the
double standards surrounding cannabis [alcohol and tobacco] are an impediment to
effective anti-drug education” (page 39).

Labour representatives have compromised every principle of good faith and
conscientious governance in appeasing the Jim Anderton’s and Peter Dunne’s
aversion to drug reform (”let’s not look at the evidence about the
discrimination, harms and unintended consequences of prohibition/criminalisation
- doh!”)

Prohibitionists 120 - Legalisers Nil. Labour MP’s be ashamed.

(Ironically, the coalition “bottom line” is technically artificial, and at
all times subject to the whim of political favour…Government retains the supreme
ability to remove cannabis from the misuse of drugs schedule by order in
council. Therefore with Parliament’s consent, cannabis may be decriminalised
“expeditiously” without the legislation that United Future are so irrationally
fearful of.)

Prohibition is damaging NZ - and Cannabis may bring down the government yet,
say the Mild Greens.

In making the moratorium part of its written coalition agreement, Helen Clark
has signalled something has gone terribly wrong in the Labour Party - and the
spirit of Government.

The Mild Greens say people should defend their right to conscientiously
object to the law, and the imposition of a right-wing moral paradigm posing as
legitimately developed policy.

What silly bloody game are the politicians playing?

“Treat this law with the contempt it deserves” say the Mild Greens.

The New Coalition is Out of Order. Helen Clark, you have no right to do this.

Come on Greens - where’s your opposition??
(MarijuanaNews note: The Greens, who had been in previous
government gave to the opposition of “genetically engineered” crops priority
over changing the cannabis laws. As a result, they get neither. The subtext here
is that we have been sold out by the Greens, even though NZ NORML founder,
Nandor Tanczos is their most famous member.)
See

New Zealand NORML Founder Elected To Parliament

Cannabis Law Reform Still On The Agenda
Press Release: Green Party August 9, 2002
Cannabis Law Reform Still On The Agenda

Green MP Nandor Tanczos today confirmed he would seek to introduce a private
members bill to make cannabis R18, and allow adults to grow their own for
personal use.

Nandor said despite Labour saying the Government would not introduce
legislation on cannabis law reform, a vote on the issue would be a conscience
vote and he hoped MPs would vote on the facts.

“Everyone knows the current laws are failing. Cannabis is easier for young
people to get than alcohol, because there is no age limit. Society has left
control in the hands of the tinny houses. We need to find ways to restrict
access to cannabis for young people.
(MarijuanaNews note: Tinny houses sell small amounts of
cannabis in “tinfoil” hence the term. Unfortunately, they often sell hard drugs
as well.)

“At the same time the Greens, and many others MPs, want to stop making
criminals out of otherwise law abiding adults. If people are behaving
responsibly, then leave them alone. If they are not, we should make sure they
have access to good drug education and treatment,” he said.

Nandor said the Greens welcomed this Government’s commitment to drug
education saying it was a continuation of the work that the Greens started
earlier in the year with the Minister of Youth Affairs.

“But all MPs should read the 1998 select committee report into cannabis,
chaired by National MP Brian Neeson, which found that the cannabis laws were a
major barrier to effective drug education,” he said.

Nandor also challenged Peter Dunne to show some spine.

In June 2001 Mr Dunne told the Select Committee Inquiry into Cannabis that
although the current cannabis laws were not working, he did not want them to
change. He went on to say that first-time offenders under the age of 20 charged
with possession should not get a conviction. They should have education and
treatment.

“That sounds like cannabis reform to me. Instead of pretending to be all
things to all people, Mr Dunne should just focus on trying to do the right
thing,” said Nandor.

“He has admitted that the law doesn’t work. He has advocated reform so that
young people are given education and treatment instead of criminal convictions.
It is bizarre that he has now made his support for these failing laws a bottom
line” he said.

“The Prime Minister and Peter Dunne share common ground with the Greens on
the view that cannabis laws are failing, but political expediency has taken
priority. It is a shame that they have opted for the appearance of concern
rather than substance.”

Ends

Full text: Agreement between Government and United Future

08.08.2002

Agreement for Confidence and Supply between the Labour/Progressive Government
and the United Future Parliamentary Caucus.

The United Future parliamentary caucus agrees to provide confidence and
supply for the term of this Parliament, to a Labour/Progressive Government with
the objective of:

Providing stable government over the next term of Parliament, so as to
implement a comprehensive policy programme aimed at
increasing economic growth, reducing inequality and improving the social and
economic wellbeing of all New Zealanders and their families in a manner which is
environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Good faith and no surprises

All parties to this agreement will operate on a good faith and no surprises
basis for the term of this Parliament.

Policy Programme

It is agreed that the detail of the policy programme will be based on the
manifestos of the Government coalition partners and will take account of the
policy priorities of the United Future Party.

It is acknowledged that policy initiatives advanced by United Future during
this parliamentary term will be considered by the Government and resolved
according to the procedures set out in this agreement.

In particular the Government will, as immediate priorities, in consultation
with the leader of United Future,

* By the end of this year develop proposals for a Commission for the Family
which will have regard to the United Future policy platform, and relevant parts
of the Labour Manifesto, including the Parenting Council initiative, with a view
to implementation in the 2003/04 financial year.

* Pass, by the end of this year, strong victims rights legislation, including
increased support for victim support groups.

* Ensure that new transport legislation is introduced and passed that
includes provisions for alternative funding options to facilitate the
accelerated development of new roading infrastructure.

* The Government will not introduce legislation to change the legal status of
cannabis and will implement a comprehensive drug strategy aimed at protecting
young people and educating them on the dangers of drug use.

Consultative arrangements

The Government will consult with United Future on a range of issues
including:

* The broad outline of the legislative programme and the priorities within
it.

* Key legislative measures.

* Major policy issues.

* Broad budget parameters.

That consultation will occur in a timely fashion so that the views of United
Future can be incorporated into final decision making.

Formal consultation will be managed between the Prime Minister’s Office and
the Office of the Leader of United Future, and there will be ongoing
relationships between relevant portfolio ministers and United Future
spokespeople. Regular leadership meetings (approximately monthly) will be
scheduled between the Government and United Future.

Briefings

It is agreed that relevant spokespeople within United Future will be briefed
on significant issues which are likely to be politically sensitive before any
public announcements are made.

Confidentiality

It is agreed that where briefings are provided to United Future, or where
United Future is involved in a consultative arrangement with regard to
legislation, policy or budgetary matters, all such discussions shall be
confidential unless otherwise agreed.

In the event that Government papers are provided to United Future in the
course of consultation or briefings they shall be treated as confidential and
shall not be released or the information used for any public purpose without the
express agreement of the relevant minister.

In the event that Cabinet or Cabinet committee papers are provided to United
Future for the purposes of consultation they shall be provided to a designated
person within the Office of the Leader who will provide a formal receipt and
take responsibility for ensuring they are accorded the appropriate degree of
confidentiality. All papers provided to United Future shall be copied to the
Prime Minister’s Office.

Collective responsibility

Although United Future will not be bound by collective responsibility on
Government decisions, where there has been full participation in the development
of a policy initiative, and that participation has led to an agreed position, it
is expected that all parties to this agreement will publicly support the process
and the outcome.

Procedural Motions

United Future agrees that it will support the Government on procedural
motions in the House and in Select Committees unless United Future has
previously advised that such support is not forthcoming.

The Government agrees that it will operate a no-surprises policy in terms of
procedural motions it intends to put before the House or a select committee.

Select Committees

United Future and the Government will develop an agreed position on the
makeup and operation of select committees.

Legislative Programme

Support for particular legislative measures which do not relate to confidence
or supply will be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Signed in Wellington this 8th day of August 2002.

Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister

Peter Dunne
Leader of United Future

(MarijuanaNews note: The following New Zealand Herald
Editorial describes the process and offers some insight into the art of
political prostitution.)

From The New Zealand Herald
Political stability assured

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=2348523&reportID=462585

09.08.2002

Common sense has won, again. The shape of the new Government announced
yesterday is much that envisaged by voters at the ballot-box on July 27. The
three-year deal with United Future unveiled by Helen Clark and Peter Dunne
assures the Labour-led minority Government of support on crucial confidence and
supply votes. And it neutralises the Greens, the main
intention of swinging voters who chose United Future as a suitable
middle-of-the-road partner for Labour. That outcome offers fairly much
the best possible prospect for a full term of stable government.

In some eyes, stability would have been enhanced had United Future entered a
formal coalition agreement with Labour. But the absence of such a pact need not
suggest frailty. During its last term, Labour depended,
likewise, on the Greens under a similar framework. The arrangement served
both parties well.

It is also noteworthy that the presence of formal coalition agreements in the
past two administrations - one with New Zealand First and one with the Alliance
- was not the harbinger of stability. Indeed, it laid the basis for infighting
among the ranks of the minor coalition partners.

Much of that squabbling related to the popular perception that the minor
party was being treated as a lapdog by its dominant partner.
(MarijuanaNews note: On the contrary, it would seem that
Labour is the lapdog being wagged by its United Future tail!)

Peter Dunne must not allow his party to stray into similar territory, both
for the sake of the party’s future and for that of an electorate that sought to
pull the Government slightly to the right. His task will not be easy.

The Prime Minister knows that United Future’s inexperienced team should, in
theory, be easier to push around than the Greens. On the plus side, however,
there should be none of the prickliness and unwarranted obduracy that doomed
prospects of a partnership between the Greens and Labour.

United Future has extracted three specific pledges
from the Government. Predictably its pet project, a Commission for the Family,
is at the head of the queue. Proposals for the commission will be developed by
the end of the year. As well, United Future has secured strong victim rights
legislation and the passage of revised transport funding law.

Its emphasis must continue to reflect its supporters’ call for the
strengthening of family life. That will require more than the establishment of a
commission. Such bodies have a habit of being largely ineffectual. United Future
must bring a family values perspective to each
Government proposal - and be prepared to withdraw support when its aims are not
being met and when the legislation does not involve confidence or supply.

The most positive aspect of this deal is that there is no obvious reason New
Zealand should not enjoy three years of stable government. Talk that the “moral
conservatives” in Peter Dunne’s ranks will not be able to fashion a comfortable
relationship with Labour’s more left-leaning MPs ignores the fact that United
Future is essentially centrist. And that most of those
issues likely to create division, such as the relaxation of cannabis laws, will
be the subject of conscience votes.
(MarijuanaNews note: A loophole? “The Government
will not introduce legislation to change the legal status of cannabis…” but if
the Greens’ Tanczos introduces the bill it will be a “conscience vote” – i.e.,
not subject to party discipline, so all that Labour has accomplished by selling
out is just selling out.)

Even on the potentially contentious revision of the Property (Relationships)
Act, United Future appears willing to shape a compromise solution. Finally, of
course, Mr Dunne will be aware of the fate of junior parties deemed to have
destabilised governments.

Looming economic clouds suggest this term will be far more difficult than
Labour’s first. A good start has been made, however. The Government must
recognise the reins applied by the electorate, and United Future must reinforce
that. Therein lies the formula for stable government.


Full election coverage

Graphic: Seats in the 47th Parliament


Full election results

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