Has Don Brash got his weed policy right?

By Jono

Legalise weed, let people grow it like fruit trees if they so choose. Prejudice should not be a legitimate reason for creating a law, nor should it be a legitimate reason for continuing an unjust law. There are many studies detailing how marijuana has negligible health-effects, unlike car exhaust which everyone seems perfectly happy to inhale on a constant daily basis. Create an opinion from facts, not prejudice. Btw, even stoners aren't dumb enough to vote for a party that has only one policy.

By Cheech & Chong

Don say's -"Yeah mon, I'm gonna smoke that weed all de dey long mon!

By graeme

Decriminalising and legalising are two completely different things and I think this has been overlooked by many, he never said he wanted it to be legal just that he wanted to stop wasting tax payer money on prosecuting people for it. personally I say make it legal with strict controls such as thc levels etc then stick a whopping great tax on it like cigarettes and make money off it which can be used for something useful. yes this make the government drug dealers, but they are already with alcohol and cigarettes. this way takes power away from the illegal suppliers (who of course will still not be able to grow and supply by law) but it will also increase government revenue, its an untapped resource. And face it law or not those who want to smoke it will so wouldnt it be better to have quality control to decrease the negative effects.

By anonymous

how refreshing to see a politician who knows that politics is about a contest of ideas. This is entirely in line with ACT's classical liberal principles. If you look at other recent speeches by Don you find the same liberal theme, and also that of a thinker.

By Rihari

He's right for bringing it up but they way in which he did was stupid. He should know how the media work in this country. All you had to do Don was talk about Portugal and Kofi's committee, not weed specifically. How could you think the media would engage in an intelligent debate about weed specifically. At the very least, the way in which we approach drugs requires debate, not spin or dumbing down media coverage but DEBATE because it aint working.

By Ben

I've got a neurological disorder, and I find that smoking marijuana helps with my motor skills! Whoever thought about criminalising a plant that has therapeutic properties?

By Takere

In the Speech bubble next to the picture .....(Don sniffing the plants)... hmmm these plants are just about due to be pluck'd ... I'll take the bud's to our next party meeting for a session!!

By will hooper

Brash has a very good point people who smoke cannibus arnt obviously scared of the law and going to stop its a waste of taxpayers money for these repeat offenders