DeClassifying the Popular ALCP Vote.

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Perhaps Tumeke should consider a more expansive acknowledgement of extra-participatory parliamentary election candidates and parties.
(see Tim Selwyn’s Unite’s candidate’s debate on the Tumeke Blog)

The inclusion of the Libertarians as ‘extra-parliamentary’ discounts the fact that Aotearoa Legalise (ALCP) has consistently and influentially polled since 1996 MMP and it has two of those candidates complete some thirteen years of participatory democracy.

Should we be surprised then that New Zealand is the first country in the world to go beyond the primary UN obligations to the founding covenants and override its obligations to the Single Conventions on Narcotics by legally regulating (R18) recreational (use, sale, storage, exchange, labeling, etc.) soft drugs under the aegis and management of the Ministry of Health.

If nothing else, those candidates at the Mt Albert by-election tables ‘because they are more serious’ and thus deserving of media space thus mind share should be asked to explain and be tested against this crucial law and order issue. An issue that has seen honourable men killed on service to a mission impossible and civilians as collateral damage in our driveways, streets and motorways.

Yet “Class D” has escaped media or political attention, despite the first job of the PM’s science adviser to take the P out of cough mixture (loud applause in CHCH town hall when RH J Key mentioned it…) and alcohol, and hoons, get the money – libraries, pools and culture are someone else responsibility. [What ever happened to ‘for the people’.]

600 Cops is a sign of failure, whereas 600 less would be ‘best practice’ measure of social policy success. Purposeful implementation of Class D is the ticket to that success. Mt Albert voters have been deprived of an opportunity to send an important ‘law and order’ signal to RH Key and Co. One that would better inform the alcohol debate.
—
Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com/
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com/
http://blair4mayor.com/
http://efsdp.org/

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

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Prison Staff, Prison Inmates, Prison Gardens

If evidence informed social policy, pot would be compulsory in prisons.

They should grow their own and enough for everybody else who needs it.

NZ Prison Service shouldnt have much difficulty in finding the expertise. Such policy;

• (a) will reduce prison muster.
• (b) displace P.
• (c) meet demand for medpot.
• (d) keep it away from kids.
• (e) ameliorate inmate violence.
• (f) make National Drug Intelligence redundant.
• (g) make Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party redundant.
• (h) and give 600 Police nothing to do.

While these corrections folk were ostensibly getting away with ‘drug dealing’ under the most enforced prohibition environment in NZ (and thus deserve a freaken medal) no one notices that the same draconian policy targeting consenting adults is somehow expected to bear fruit in civvy street.

The alcoholic finds a sanction from a total change of mind, so too for the drug dependant,
Open your eyes, the Saviour you can find, and the peace of mind you’ll be given,
And discover the you, let your soul shine through, and get high on the love you can inspire,
‘Cause you’re a lamb worth saving, from immoral recruitment,
Break the link to the chain.

:from Rumataka Prison Blues, Set the Captives Free

Blair Anderson
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com/

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Police Powers – Nandor’s observervations

Former Green MP, Nandor Tanczos sent to my Bebo…..

Two pieces of ‘law and order’ legislation are being debated by parliament under urgency. The first is the Gangs and Organised Crime Bill. Going by the press release, it seems like a typical case of throwing good legislative time after bad. Justice Minister Simon Power says “”By doubling the sentence for participation in a gang we are reflecting the culpability of those gang leaders who organise the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, and we are addressing the low rate of successful convictions”.

Eh? It appears that selling P is a worse crime if you are a Mongrel Mob member than if you are an evil sociopath with no friends. Not quite sure why. Nor am I sure why doubling the sentence will increase the number of convictions. (The release says that “of 339 prosecutions there were only 19 convictions” which I guess highlights either how poorly thought out the original legislation was or how incompetent the police are).

They ARE lowering the threshold for the police to get warrants, from investigation of offenses attracting 10 years to ones attracting 7. Of course if this is about targeting P as the Minister claims then this is irrelevant because manufacture and sale of P has a maximum of life.

Actually, it is already very easy for police to get warrants if they have a scrap of evidence to base an application on. The police always moan to politicians that the reason why they can’t get on top of gangs is because they are hobbled by pesky laws protecting civil rights. So politicians give police more powers, and shortly thereafter the police are back with the same complaint. That is how civil rights are consistently and continuously undermined. Just have a look at the new campaign to give police yet more powers over boy racers.

All in all, much as it grieves me to agree with Mr Cosgrove, it looks like political theatre gone bad. Sir Graham Latimer got it right when he said that the quickest way to destabilise gangs is to legalise cannabis.

The other bill is about DNA samples.From the press release:

“It allows police to collect DNA from people they ‘intend to charge’, and to match it against samples from unsolved crimes. At present, DNA can be collected only with consent, by judicial approval, or by compulsion where people are suspected or convicted of an offence punishable by more than seven years’ imprisonment, or another specified offence”

So it is about giving the police the right to take DNA from anyone they wish (I intend to charge you….when I’ve got some evidence) and to use that for a fishing trip through the DNA database.

“And any misuse of profiles will be subject to the full extent of relevant law and civil rights protections, and the police will develop guidelines to avoid any arbitrary or unreasonable application of this power”.

Just like they did with Tazers, MoDA search without warrant powers, pepper spray right? Somehow I don’t feel comforted.

—
Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Spokesperson on Climate Change, Environment and Associate ‘Shadow’ Law And Order.
http://www.Republicans.org.NZ

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://blair4mayor.com
http://efsdp.org

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219
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Cannabis key difference between Helen and John

Press Release: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

also see Scoop: Cannabis key difference between Helen and John

“As the two main parties fight over the central ground this election, there is little seperation between the two partys’ policies. One key issue which seperates the two leaders is the Cannabis issue,” says Julian Crawford, ALCP candidate for Dunedin Nth.

“Both Clark and Key spoke about this issue during last night’s leaders debate, exhibiting vastly divergent positions. Key denied ever having experimented with cannabis, while Clark indicated that both she and veteran broadcaster Paul Holmes had smoked the soft drug during their university days.”

“The National Party has admitted that under its leadership, cannabis users, regardless of their medical needs, will face increased levels of punishment (Nick Smith, Nelson Mail 23/5/08).”

“Helen Clark however has taken a much more favourable attitude to cannabis law reform. Speaking at the Otago University campus in October, Clark said that New Zealand should look to other coutries that have tried alternatives to cannabis prohibition. Making a choice from the wide range of law reform options is the main consideration before the cannabis laws can change, according to the PM. This task is being undertaken by the Law Commission who are reviewing the entire misuse of drugs act 1975. The Law Commision will seek public consultation in 2009.”

“Helen Clark has indicated that her favoured option for cannabis law refrom is ‘partial prohibition’ (Tearaway 1/7/08). The ALCP also endorses partial prohibition as part of it policy programme. This means that adults will be allowed to grow and posses personal amounts of cannabis, within government defined limits. Anyone found exceeding these limits for personal use will face the same penalties currently in effect.”

“The ALCP commends the Prime Minister for taking a positive stand on an issue that has been too controversial for many other politicians. The ALCP looks forward to working with a Labour-led government after the election. Mr Key has not only demonstrated a lack of testicular fortitude when it comes to experimentation with cannabis, he has displayed considerable ingnorance regarding this important issue. Someone who is not adventurous enought to try cannabis even once in their life, is not fit to lead this country,” says Crawford.

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Nats are weak on Key issue: Drugs and Crime

Media release, 31 October 2008
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Scoop: *Nats are weak on Key issue : Drugs and Crime*

All Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidates standing for election say the superficiality of the “Law and Order” debate in New Zealand ought to be a major concern for voters.

Party Leader Michael Appleby (Wellington Central) says “Prime Minister-in-waiting John Key, describing his law and order vision for NZ, is concerned about an ‘explosion in drugs’ which – in reality – is actually an explosion in criminalisation of young and old New Zealanders.”

Mike Britnell, Christchurch Central candidate says “Prohibition created the black market and related crime, without limiting drug use. NZ is getting the worst of both worlds. As a closed-minded prohibitionist John Key will never make NZ better, safer or richer.”

Kevin O’Connell (Auckland Central) says “Mr Key and his National Party does not appear to fully understand freedom, responsibility, or true free enterprise, otherwise they would legalise and regulate.”

Danyl Strype (Ohairu) says “As a very successful stock market man – who understands what a 1000% mark up is – Mr Key ought to recognise that drug markets are classic examples of supply and demand. Prohibition as a ‘law and order’ solution is a dog chasing its tail.”

Paula Lambert (Christchurch East) says “Voters are misled and ill-informed, thanks to an inadequate canvassing of the evidence – and the ALCP candidacy – by the mainstream media. For too long any effective public health measures for cannabis have been unresolved. Instead, Law and Disorder reigns and the nation continues to seethe about violence, gangs, youth and drug-related crime.”

Steven Wilkinson (West Coast-Tasman) says “How can any prospective government pretend to talk about solving crime while they actively support the promotion of a huge black market via the high profit incentives of prohibition? We need an R18 cottage industry and relief for New Zealand taxpayers.”

Judy Daniels (Te Tai Tokerau) says “The taxpaying public are being taken for a ride. There are 15-20,000 cannabis convictions every year cluttering up NZ’s injustice system. These turn innocent peoples’ lives upside down whilst completely failing to improve, promote or protect the public health. Even worse for the community good, current drug laws are delivering an unmistakeable alienation factor, and promote a destructive underclass and underworld culture.”

Julian Crawford (Dunedin North) says “A rather conservative estimate (National Drug Survey) counts the cannabis black market as servicing 373,000 consumers. An obvious and popular intervention would be legal status, including an age limit for cannabis use in NZ. At the moment all voters are drowning in ‘tough on law and order’ rhetoric by National, Labour and other political parties vying for a prejudiced populist vote.”

It would be a start if all New Zealanders understood this and supported a rational debate on the Key to minimise harms and provide some protection. Meanwhile, the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is standing with an ethic that encompasses the triple bottom line of “Community, environment, and economics – cannabis law reform as key NZ issue – r18 cannabis as a key public health and safety issue.”

One in twenty votes would put the ALCP into the parliamentary mix, empowered to debate a long overdue positive change. The public are invited to view and consider a snapshot of its cottage industry vision for New Zealand that mainstream media are ignoring this election, see campaign speeches

http://www.alcp.org.nz/

Blair Anderson
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
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Down by the HuttRiver – NZ could legalise the medicinal use of cannabis….

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Blair4Mayor.com, CHCH 2007 has left a new comment on the post “New Zealand could legalise the medicinal use of ca…“:

The problem with the pharmacueticalisation of cannabis is that it proves the lie (about cannabis being no good for anything) while serving to ensure that the manufacturers and distributors of medicalised cannabis preparations are going to “require” the protection of prohibition in order to maintain profits (and research).

Sativex, is in reality ‘whole cannabis’ packaged into measured ‘thus moral’ doses.

What really needs to happen of course is ‘regulation’ and then the real research can be done.

Posted by Blair4Mayor.com, CHCH 2007 to Down by the HuttRiver – Thinking Out Loud: at October 3, 2008 7:58 PM

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Cone of Contention Ripens

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In the years preceding its installation, critics denounced the filigreed steelwork as “an affront” and a “vulgarity”. The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party claimed it resembled a giant dope reefer.

Clearly the PRESS havent chatted with its more experienced media staff who might have set them straight as to the familar cultural expression and act of political dissent the ‘enjoying of a cone’ is.

The use of cannabis, and particularly of large pipes called “chalices”, is an integral part of what Rastafari call Reasoning sessions. They see cannabis as having the capacity to allow the user to penetrate the truth of how things are much more clearly, as if the wool had been pulled from one’s eyes. /Blair )

see the ‘electoral’ origins of the story…

New Zealand: Chalice ‘Shrine to Cannabis Smokers’

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00.n331.a06.html

An excellent image of “Te Cone” can be seen here

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ALCP Challenges Government to show some spine

ALCP calls on the Labour-led government to include a question in the next postal referendum, that asks New Zealanders to vote on the legality of cannabis.

Press Release: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Tuesday, 26 August 2008

ALCP challenges the Labour government to finally act on it’s two Health select Committees findings into the harms of cannabis, The 2003 cannabis inquiry received 532 written submissions, with 78 percent of those supported changes to the current way cannabis is managed. Only 17 percent supported the continuation of prohibition. The study concluded that the government “…should reconsider the legal status of cannabis.”

ALCP Spokesperson, Steven Wilkinson says “This country has legalised prostitution, homosexuality, and acknowledges same-sex marriages. It is time time to deal with society’s last great hypocrisy, the prohibition of cannabis. Regulation is the mature and intelligent way for society to handle the drug cannabis. he said.

ALCP calls for a question to be added into the next referendum, asking New Zealanders how they think cannabis should be managed, through prohibition or regulation?

The recently released ‘New Zealand Illicit Drug Harm Index’, paid for by the New Zealand Police, shows the cost of prohibition exceeds 115 million dollars, while the actual cost of cannabis to society is only 67.3 million. Steven Wilkinson says “Where is the logic in spending more to prohibit cannabis, than the social cost to society from cannabis?”

ALCP feels its high time for New Zealand to have a say in how this drug is managed in society. The referendum would allow normal people to have their say without the fear of stigmatisation, and be heard by representatives who are expected to act on their wishes.

Mr Wilkinson said “This issue needs no petition when over 370,000 New Zealanders used cannabis in 2006. The jury is in, the studies are done. Now is the time to act.

Steven Wilkinson says “Does Labour have the mettle to shake off the shackles of that flotilla of parasite parties and do one last bold act. Include the cannabis question in the referendum”.

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Anderson Bay Teacher gets a Lesson in Politics

Gmail – benson_pope.jpg

It’s a pity MP David Benson-Pope didn’t take the offer, it would have improved his chances!
However, he will still be retiring on 80% of his salary, pity he couldnt have held on to his Ministerial portfolio’s, he could have stiffed the public purse for even more!

Blair Anderson
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com

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