December 12, 2018
Jackson ponders relief of drug pain
Labour MP Willie Jackson says the debate over medical marijuana has made him more ready to consider arguments to decriminalise the drug.
The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, gives terminally ill people a legal defence for using illicit cannabis products, has passed its third reading in Parliament today.
National voted against he bill, saying it was decriminalisation by stealth.
Mr Jackson, who used to be opposed to any loosening of drug laws, says while the initial concern was to relieve people's pain, there is pressure to go further.
"Too many of our people have fines against them and records against them just for smoking a joint at the wrong place and they are stopped from going overseas and some people end up in jail so I am open to that kōrero in terms of decriminalisation," he says.
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