Don Brash: "We should decriminalise marijuana"

[imdying]

Well back to the debate at hand, wouldn't removing any form of income be beneficial in the long run?

It seems likely that marijuana cultivation is still bringing in new gangs to our turf, the Vietnamese over the last decade for example. I would have thought that given the ease of access in NZ (reputedly easier than any other country) the market was already saturated, but it would appear not, surely in part due to our ever changing ethnic mix.

[imdying]

unfortunately weed is "pocket money" or "chump change" to them, they really have little interest in it at the end of the day, thats left for the low ranks to deal with.

The NZ Police National Intelligence Centre believe that it is used to significantly fund their meth importation. They have a fairly one sided view on things, so one assumes that they're not telling porkies.

Citation needed.

Not needed, the police for one believe that to be false.

[blackdog]

Did legalising prostitution help reduce their revenue streams? Could be worth finding out. Although, that would require legalisation instead of decriminalisation?

In the case of prozzies the whole point wasn't to reduce revenue, but to increase it and tax it. Seems to have worked quite nicely too.

You are right though, it requires legalisation rather than decriminilising for anything to filter through to the government accounts.

Imagine the tourist dollars then! RWC eat yer heart out.

[imdying]

Imagine the tourist dollars then! RWC eat yer heart out.

Haven't the Dutch just changed their laws to try and eliminate drug tourists as they've found them to be a little antisocial? I for one don't want them here (these are people that love drugs enough to want to travel for them), but I do feel NZers should be able to make their own decisions on weed if they're capable of making their own decisions on booze.

[Scuba_Steve]

Citation needed.

gonna be a bit hard, but just talk to the gangs (has to be higher up the food chain tho, the low minions do have delusions of their importance)

Did legalising prostitution help reduce their revenue streams? Could be worth finding out. Although, that would require legalisation instead of decriminalisation?

Yes, now they have to pay tax & ACC

The NZ Police National Intelligence Centre believe that it is used to significantly fund their meth importation. They have a fairly one sided view on things, so one assumes that they're not telling porkies.

"NZ police national intelligence"
They might have been right to start (you know back in the 90's) but now the gangs have money.

[mashman]

You are right though, it requires legalisation rather than decriminilising for anything to filter through to the government accounts.

Marijuana is still illegal in Holland... albeit legalised by proxy as the govt still get their bite from sales tax.

[imdying]

"NZ police national intelligence"
They might have been right to start (you know back in the 90's) but now the gangs have money.

That's a point, that horse may have indeed bolted.

NZ has always been a little slow off the mark though when it comes to issues that have international trade intermingled with them, and fair enough too, we rely on it heavily. So if we decriminalise, how are the USA going to feel about that?

The police might seem a little thick, but I like to think that's funding issue rather than the alternative (i.e. they are).

[blackdog]

Marijuana is still illegal in Holland... albeit legalised by proxy as the govt still get their bite from sales tax.

No argument here.

[scumdog]

Haven't the Dutch just changed their laws to try and eliminate drug tourists as they've found them to be a little antisocial? I for one don't want them here (these are people that love drugs enough to want to travel for them), but I do feel NZers should be able to make their own decisions on weed if they're capable of making their own decisions on booze.

Yup, changed things as they got sick of green Kiwis (and others) who thought you could fly to Holland, duck into any cafe', grab a hooter and walk off down the street toking their heart out....

[mashman]

Haven't the Dutch just changed their laws to try and eliminate drug tourists as they've found them to be a little antisocial? I for one don't want them here (these are people that love drugs enough to want to travel for them), but I do feel NZers should be able to make their own decisions on weed if they're capable of making their own decisions on booze.

Amsterdam is bonkers. Totally and utterly bonkers. Walk up the main street from the station and you soon get bored with hearing "Aceeed, Ecstaseeee, Cocaine, Heroin, Speeeeeed etc..." (and that was 20 years ago), every 10 paces there's someone selling you something more damaging , and not a cop in sight. I'd hope that the cops would stop that sort of shit dead in its tracks here, if we had a similar pot cafe culture that is.

[mashman]

NZ has always been a little slow off the mark though when it comes to issues that have international trade intermingled with them, and fair enough too, we rely on it heavily. So if we decriminalise, how are the USA going to feel about that?

heh, is that the same USA that are allowing medical marijuana to be sold from licenced premises... those same premises that hire people to courier marijuana to their customers? that the same USA you're talking about?

[scumdog]

Mashman.
Drugs equivalent of speeds Jack Miller.

How appropriate.

[mashman]

Mashman.
Drugs equivalent of speeds Jack Miller.

How appropriate.

Linky then scummy...

[imdying]

Yup, changed things as they got sick of green Kiwis (and others) who thought you could fly to Holland, duck into any cafe', grab a hooter and walk off down the street toking their heart out....

They lost site of the original intent, which wasn't a bag thing in itself, which is why they law changes only apply to the tourists.

heh, is that the same USA that are allowing medical marijuana to be sold from licenced premises... those same premises that hire people to courier marijuana to their customers? that the same USA you're talking about?

They are indeed coming around in their own time. Once they get their, then New Zealand can do their thing without fear of reprisal. Being a lap dog of a country like that is a bitter pill to swallow, but that's one of the joys of being small.

[mashman]

They are indeed coming around in their own time. Once they get their, then New Zealand can do their thing without fear of reprisal. Being a lap dog of a country like that is a bitter pill to swallow, but that's one of the joys of being small.

bagga ...