Deep in the weed
Drug-law liberalisation is coming, like it or not. The concern is that it may be allowed to proceed whether we are ready or not. Irrespective of the outcome of next year’s cannabis referendum, the Government’s Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill is set to introduce de facto decriminalisation for recreational use. Police, already inclined to use discretion in not prosecuting for possessing small amounts, will be legally obliged to overlook it. In a number of countries, the tide is turning, at least on cannabis, as it is acknowledged that the traditional outlaw-and-criminalise approach hasn’t halted its use. But what’s still vitally lacking is evidence that the alternative, so-called health-based approach can minimise the physical harm drugs do or even deter the criminal activity around supply. Before New Zealanders vote on legalising cannabis for those…