February 17, 2010 - 6:00pm

The Law Commission has released a report into the misuse of drugs act, recommending the 30 year old law be reviewed.

Today the 9 Local News Word on the Street team went to find out if you believe the Government should relax laws relating to recreational drug use

http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/do-you-believe-government-should-relax-laws...

Close Up staff investigated over marijuana claims
By David Fisher and Alice Neville
Sunday Feb 14, 2010

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10626017&r...

TVNZ staff under investigation for marijuana use tried to get photos taken during a smoking session deleted, according to people at the gathering.

But others who were present say the few images taken don't show anything incriminating - and TVNZ does not have copies.

Three staff at TVNZ's flagship current affairs show Close Up have been accused of smoking marijuana after filming a segment called "Reefer Madness", which screened last Tuesday. A fourth TVNZ staff member was also present.

The story showed supporters of the movement travelling to Waitangi and featured interviews with campaigner Dakta Green, previously known as Kenneth Morgan.

TVNZ probes claim staff used cannabis
Feb 13, 2010

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625910&r...

Television New Zealand is investigating an allegation that staff smoked cannabis while in Waitangi during a visit by drug law reform campaigners.

A report on a journey to the Waitangi Day celebrations by activist Dakta Green and others in the "Cannabus" bus featured on Close Up last Tuesday.

Mr Green is a leading member of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml).

The report featured scenes of drug-taking.

The Herald understands a complaint about the item included an allegation that four TVNZ staff took drugs with the Norml contingent in the bus after filming had finished for the day.

The complainant said the group had photos of the staff smoking the cannabis.

Potbus hits the road

click the link below to watch the video
http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/morgan-s-potbus-hits-road-3352616/video

Dakta Green is the face of the legalise marijuana movement and openly flouts the law almost everyday.

He's gone to prison more than one once and has lost his relationship with his own family because of his obsessive stance.

But even that hasn't deterred him as he has now named himself and is planning on visiting towns around New Zealand in his 'cannabus' to sell the message.

Although as Matt Chisholm discovered his bus and his views are not necessarily warmly received.

www.ch9.co.nz home page.

check it out and vote your little hearts out.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/93201/039foolish039-pair-bring-drugs-...
Home » News » National
Fri, 12 Feb 2010
News: National

The Corrections Department says two people caught carrying drugs while visiting a Waikato prison were "foolish".

The pair went to Waikeria Prison, 16km south of Te Awamutu, to collect a friend who was being released this week, but both ended up being detained and arrested, Waikeria South Prison manager Kevin Smith said.

"So basically what should have been a happy occasion for these two people at the prison to pick up a friend being released was ruined by their foolishness in thinking they could bring drugs onsite.

"The released prisoner did manage to get a ride home from the third occupant of the visitor group."

New Zealand Law Comission Review of The Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 The moment we've all been waiting for!!!

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/92954/drug-decriminalisation-proposal...
NZPA

A Law Commission report calling for possible decriminalisation of some drug use and allowing cannabis for medicinal use is set to be rejected by the Government.

The commission said it agreed with vigorous law enforcement on commercial drug dealers, but that there should be less emphasis on punishment of personal possession and use, and more emphasis on delivering effective treatment to addicts.

However, Justice Minister Simon Power says there is no prospect drug laws will be relaxed.

The commission report says there is no doubt that alcohol and illegal drugs both cause harm to the community, but "while the harms and costs associated with alcohol are typically understated and misunderstood, those associated with illegal drugs are often generalised and overblown".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3317457/Cannabis-ok-for-medicinal-use-La...
By JOHN HARTEVELT - The Press

Cannabis would be allowed for medicinal use and low-level pot-smokers sent to rehab instead of prison under proposals revealed this afternoon by the Law Commission.

The Law Commission Issues Paper on Controlling and Regulating Drugs also calls for a "major overhaul" of the law governing new drugs like BZP party pills.

Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer today said there was "scope for a range of different approaches" to drug laws in New Zealand.

"There may be a case for taking more flexible approaches to offences involving possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use," Sir Geoffrey said.

The report says there is "no reason why cannabis should not be able to be used for medicinal purposes in limited circumstances".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/3261229/Aspen-to-host-cannabis-contest

A cannabis festival in the US ski resort town of Aspen this spring will allow approved growers to put their strains in a contest.

The Western Slope Cannabis Crown will have about 50 state-approved medical marijuana growers enter their strains of weed. The marijuana strains will be diagnostically tested for their THC levels. Growers will also be able to sell to medical marijuana patients. The customers would vote on a "people's choice" strain.

The Cannabis Crown organizer, Bobby Scurlock, says about 1,500 tickets have been sold for the two-day event, the Post Independent reported.

Dunsterdam will be next -Bert-