Cannabis

There was a very interesting debate on the legalisation of cannabis on Q & A TV 1, on Sunday evening, hosted by Jack Tame.

The four people interviewed were National MP, Dr Nick Smith, and Dr Kate Baddock, chairwoman of the New Zealand Medical Association, both against the legalisation, and Chloe Swarbrick, a Green MP, and Khylee Quince, an associate professor of AUT, both in favour of the legalisation. They were all very proficient in the presentation of their views on the question of whether to legalise cannabis.

The two against the proposal were stressing the point that a ‘‘yes’’ vote would exacerbate problems such as mental health and that there would be no way of restricting the sale and availability of cannabis to the under 20-year-olds.

The other two, in favour of the proposal, although admitting that cannabis can cause harm, it has economical potential and maybe has a saving of $300 million in justice and police costs.

There are certainly a myriad of reasons for not approving this proposal and maybe even a few reasons for agreeing with it. It certainly is going to be a very interesting election.

D H Darling

Timaru