Our first Rasta MP?

NORML activist high on Green Party list

Nandor Tanczos, former editor of NORML NEWS, may well become New Zealand's first Rastafarian MP. He had this to say about the Green Party's cannabis law reform policy.

"If you are serious about cannabis law reform then you should vote for the Green Party.

The Green Party has the most progressive drug policy in New Zealand. It is the only party in parliament supporting cannabis law reform. After the election it will be the only party able and willing to push the issue through parliament.

It is vital that people who support cannabis law reform give the Greens their Party Vote.

We need MPs in parliament who have a proven record of supporting NORML's aims, and who are not afraid to stand up and be heard. That party is the Greens.

Last year Green MP Rod Donald led the delegation that persuaded the Health Minister to withdraw opposition to industrial hemp, and MP Jeanette Fitzsimons championed medical marijuana user Danuiel Clarke in parliament, after he was jailed for 21 days this year. She was also active during the Select Committee inquiry into cannabis.

I have been a hardcore NORML activist since 1991. I have been NORML News editor, staffed the bust-line, and toured in the NORML bus. I am also a partner in the Hempstore Aotearoa with NORML's spokes-person Chris Fowlie and former national coordinator Mike Finlayson.

I joined the Greens as the party left the Alliance in late 1997. For years they had tried to get the Alliance to support decriminalisation of marijuana, without success (see NORML News vol.2 no.1), but one of the first things we did after leaving was adopt our policy on cannabis and other drugs.
The Green Party of Aotearoa / New Zealand Policy on Cannabis and Other Drugs:

Personal use, possession and cultivation of cannabis should not be a crime.
  • 5 plant limit on personal cultivation
  • Age limit, similar to alcohol
  • Drug education expanded
  • Illegal to drive if impaired by cannabis
  • Cannabis smoking would be banned where tobacco smoking is banned
  • Encourage hemp as a valuable eco-crop
  • Cannabis products available for medicine
We'll review whether to regulate and tax the cannabis market, and if so the Green Party prefers a `Grow-local' model to allow local communities a say over the licensing of small scale commercial cultivation and trading.

We'll start a two-year review of all drug policy to recommend integrated and effective harm minimisation policies designed to reduce harm to society and individuals as a result of drug use, and to enhance people's capacity for informed choice.

for the full policy see www.greens.org.nz


The policy was drafted by Chris Fowlie and myself and was overwhelmingly supported by the members and the leadership of the Greens. This year in a vote of confidence for our stance the party selected me as candidate for Auckland Central, made me spokesperson for Justice and put me at no. 5 on the party list.

This means that I have a very real possibility of being the world's first dreadlock Rastafarian MP next year, but I'll need your help!

Unlike other parties, the Greens do not need 5% of the party vote to get in, because Jeanette Fitzsimons will win the Coromandel electorate. But we do need to make that party vote as high as possible. 4% would give us 5 MPs, including myself, while 7% would give us nine, all working for cannabis law reform.

Some of you will be wondering whether to vote for the ALCP. The reality is that the ALCP will not be in parliament next year.

Last time the ALCP got 1.6% of the vote, well short of what is needed to get in, and they will be lucky to get the same again. The Greens, on the other hand, will be in parliament with or without 5%.

We don't need to prove that cannabis is an issue. The ALCP did that last time. What we need now is action.

A Labour / Alliance coalition government next year seems likely. This may make no difference to cannabis prohibition unless the Greens are there too, pushing for a law change.

Make your vote count: Vote Green.

Nandor Tanczos is number 5 on the Green Party list and candidate for Auckland Central.

He is also spokesperson on Justice and coordinator of the WildGreens direct action group.

Ph 09 302 5255 or email wild.greens@greens.org.nz