Let the people decide Cannabis consequences

The proposal by the Ma¯ori Party (and some local councillors) to change established names for towns and cities to Ma¯ori equivalents needs to be thought through very carefully.

Whilst the idea itself may havemerit in some quarters, it could prove to have serious consequences for the tourism industry and a backlash within the wider community.

Any backlash will probably be labelled as ‘‘reverse racism’’ regardless of people’s sentiments. This has the potential for

Dr HuhanaHickey, in Cannabis: the Maori perspective (Sept 4), wrote: ‘‘The criminalisation of smoking cannabis imprisons people of colour, but does not imprison white people.’’

I firmly believe it imprisons everyone regardless of colour, and legalising recreational smoking will be another nail in the downward spiral of human degradation.

Some years ago, we had a young fellow work for us who talked freely about his smoking cannabis, but had managed to kick the habit. But therewere obvious lingering problems with his concentration and memory lapses, with his forgetfulness making hiswork unreliable at times.

As with most government legislation, time and familiaritywill surely see any legislation passed further relaxed. Just take ACC as a glaring example.

If the country votes to legalise recreational cannabis smoking, wemust also be prepared for the many consequences, many of them not very pleasant. Philson Sherriff, Marton