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PM: 'Too many risks' associated with legalising cannabis

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff, NZN,
Publish Date
Mon, 29 May 2017, 9:05AM
United Future leader Peter Dunne is calling for cannabis to be legalised and regulated, with many polls showing strong support for the move (Photo / Getty Images)

PM: 'Too many risks' associated with legalising cannabis

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff, NZN,
Publish Date
Mon, 29 May 2017, 9:05AM

Prime Minister Bill English says there's been no change in the Government's stance on cannabis.

United Future leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne hit the headlines over the weekend with his suggestion New Zealand move to a Portuguese model for drugs.

Anyone caught with less that seven days worth of Class C drugs wouldn't be prosecuted, but fined and sent for treatment.

Class C drugs could also be regulated under the Psychoactive Substances Act, which meant they would have to be tested and sold through licensed retailers.

"I think there's a public appetite for getting drugs out of control of the gangs," Mr Dunne said.

But Prime Minister Bill English told Mike Hosking this morning there are too many risks.

"This is a drug that can do some real damage, particularly when its associated with poor mental health of the user of the drug. We don't want to shift the boundary."

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PM BILL ENGLISH ABOVE

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