• Full Story

Brash invited to join pot party

Email
Print

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 8:50a.m.

Don Brash - favours marijuana decriminalisation

Don Brash - favours marijuana decriminalisation

By Dan Satherley

If Don Brash gets rolled as ACT leader – a scenario allegedly outlined in the infamous teapot tape – he's welcome to join the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.

ALCP leader Michael Appleby has invited Dr Brash to stand for the pro-cannabis party at the next election.

In September, Dr Brash revealed that although he'd never used the recreational drug, he backed its decriminalisation because it would save the country $100 million a year.

''Apparently, a majority of New Zealanders think this law is an ass," he said during a speech on law and order.

• Live updates from the election campaign

ACT's Epsom candidate John Banks – a former Minister of Police, and the party's only hope of getting back into Parliament – rejected Dr Brash's views, saying he would never vote for the loosening of drug laws.

Hence the ALCP's invitation.

"Dr Brash has not used cannabis but has reviewed the evidence and says there is a compelling case for relaxing the cannabis laws, saving $100 million on police enforcement costs each year," says Mr Appleby.

The ALCP leader has also called for the release of the teapot tapes.

"When a high ranking candidate has a conversation with the Prime Minister about matters of public interest in a public location there is no expectation of privacy," says Mr Appleby.

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

25 Nov 2011 12:42p.m.

Mbossa wrote:

Careful what you wish for, ALCP. If Brash takes up your offer, he's not going to just stand as a candidate. He'll take control of your party, fill in some policy gaps, and rebrand it as a right-wing libertarian party (probably changing its name in the process). Granted, that is something that's lacking on the political landscape now that ACT has been Banksified, and the rebranded party might actually do pretty well for itself, but I don't know if that's really what you want for your party. I for one would certainly never vote for an ALCP with Dr Brash on board. Heck, at the moment I'm wavering between the Greens and ALCP, and this invitation may just be the push I need to put me squarely in the Green camp.

24 Nov 2011 05:09p.m.

Craig wrote:

Which is all very well, but why would a nice party like ALCP *want* to saddle itself with Dr Brash...given that in most polls, they're outpolling ACT!

18 Nov 2011 12:42p.m.

Blair Anderson wrote:

Brash's comments on cannabis are simplistic but none the less helpful. But dont expect media to dig deeper. Brash replaced Epsom MP Rodney Hide who would legalise all drugs tomorrow, and Key is saying Katherine (nee Judd) should be leader... she is an arch prohibitionist. So what was the real agenda behind talking up the support of ACT with former Minister of Police and candidate for Epsom, if it wasnt to protect National's "free Trade" pacific agenda at a time the US is taking active military interest in the South Pacific while waging war on long its borders... leading to 40,000 dead people and another 40,000 orphans, largely to keep loco weed on the other side of the fence. And that is only the past six years. Have a look on NZDOCTOR.CO.NZ and see leading proponent of the health argument for drug policy reform say 'health is the argument for legal regulation, and no argument for continued prohibition'. Yet Key et al want to test beneficiaries for eligablity for support based on what we may or may not put in our heads and he's the only one entitled to privacy.... Makes ya want roll pne up, pronto!

18 Nov 2011 10:11a.m.

Em wrote:

Good on him. It makes sense to decriminalise it and if you look at the facts it would save us money, more vacancies in prisons for REAL criminals and also taxing it would make NZ the mega bucks... I don't understand why alcohol is legal rather than pot!? There are more alcohol associated deaths than weed. Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party you have my vote all the way!!