NSW Law Treats Marijuana as Harmless
The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, National President of the Christian Democratic Party,
has expressed his extreme disappointment with the ALP State Government over its
refusal to take steps to protect the community from the harmful effects of
Marijuana.
“In all my years in public service I’ve rarely been so disappointed. For almost
four decades I have been pleading with successive governments to address the
very real problems associated with Marijuana use. For decades I have pleaded
with successive governments, appealing to their humanity, to think beyond their
own political agendas and consider the well-being and in some cases the very
lives of those they are meant to serve. I have pleaded with successive
governments to act on the documented scientific evidence that has been available
since 1975. Those pleas have to date fallen on deaf ears. I believe our leaders
have remained indifferent to the suffering of others until such time that action
on their behalf may translate to tangible political benefit”, said Rev Fred
Nile.
“Last week I tried to update via amendments the ‘Drug Misuse And Trafficking
Amendment Act’ that was originally drafted in the early 80s, so that the
legislation reflects recent scientific research. The Government, already playing
politics prior to the next state election, sided with the Green party to block
the move. The only rationale given was that the Government was proud to continue
with the same 1985 outdated legislation, even though its spokesperson John Della
Bosca acknowledged that it was drafted in an era that both he and others
believed Marijuana to be a harmless recreational drug.
Even the Federal Government has begun calling on the State Government to get
tougher on Marijuana. The Federal parliamentary secretary for health Christopher
Pyne recently stated "We have to treat it (Marijuana) as an illicit drug as
dangerous as heroin, amphetamines or cocaine”.
How many lives need to be destroyed before action is taken? How much suffering
endured before compassion is shown? For our sons, our daughters, our friends and
family, I once again plead with the Government and our Premier Morris Iemma to
take urgent action to rectify this problem. It’s about time, and for some it’s
already running out.
I am, however, glad my amendment to delete the proposed “drug trial” was passed
by the Upper House, as it may have opened the door to a Heroin distribution
trial”, Rev Nile stated.
The Rev Hon Fred Nile’s speech on the ‘Drug Misuse And Trafficking Amendment
Act’ can be found
here:
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Rev Fred Nile MLC: 9230 2978 / 0418 619 731
Rev Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC: 9230 3340 / 4389 1860 / 0407 433 499
Christian Democratic Party, GPO Box 141, Sydney NSW 2001.
Phone: 1300-667-975 Email:admin@cdp.org.au
web:
www.cdp.org.au