Salvation Army suggests decriminalising cannabis, rather than legalising it

TVNZ One News 30 September 2020
Family First Comment: “The Salvation Army has seen the consequences of liberalising gambling and liquor legislation and the insurmountable difficulty in dialling back the legislation once negative consequences emerge. Cannabis is not the benign substance that many people would have us believe – cannabis can have significantly harmful effects related to addiction, mental illness and motivation and we see this in our addiction treatment services.”

The Salvation Army says it does not support the legalisation of cannabis in New Zealand, ahead of the upcoming referendum, but does believe decriminalising casual use would be beneficial.

Spokesperson Lynette Hudson said “it is extremely unfortunate that the referendum process has been designed in a way that provides little option between the inadequate law that currently exists around cannabis and the legalisation of it.”

The organisation said it would support a shift away from punishing casual cannabis use, towards a more compassionate health-based response, but said it would still advocate for “strict legal prohibition” to be enforced on those growing or dealing the drug.

“The Salvation Army believes that New Zealanders do not have enough information to make an informed decision for legalisation at this point.

“It would be unwise to introduce legislation legalising cannabis use before we understand the long-term consequences of this decision.

“The Salvation Army has seen the consequences of liberalising gambling and liquor legislation and the insurmountable difficulty in dialling back the legislation once negative consequences emerge.

“Cannabis is not the benign substance that many people would have us believe – cannabis can have significantly harmful effects related to addiction, mental illness and motivation and we see this in our addiction treatment services.”
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/salvation-army-suggests-decriminalising-cannabis-rather-than-legalising

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