TURIA WILL TALK ABOUT CANNABIS REFORM

Wellington: Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia has left open the possibility that a costly by-election in her electorate could be avoided, saying she is prepared to meet the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party ( ALCP ) about cannabis reform.

A by-election looked set to go ahead on Monday after the ALCP said it would stand unless Mrs Turia supported its aims.

Mrs Turia's resignation from Parliament became effective yesterday after she quit the Labour Party over her opposition to the Government's foreshore and seabed policy.

Officials expect the by-election in the enormous Maori electorate to cost taxpayers more than $350,000, and possibly up to $500,000.

All the political parties represented in Parliament have said they will not stand candidates in the by-election, to be held on July 10.

Officials have said that if no-one else put their name forward, Mrs Turia would be declared elected.

However, ALCP leader and lawyer Michael Appleby said on Monday his party would stand in the by-election unless Mrs Turia backed the party's position of legalising cannabis use for those over 18.

Mrs Turia issued a statement yesterday which said she had always supported decriminalisation of cannabis use and would continue to advocate "cannabis reform".

However, she said she did not support legalising the drug.

As a former associate health minister with interests in drug policy, she was very concerned to address the harmful aspects of drug use.

"I have advocated for decriminalising, which means that you still have regulations around it."

She said she would be disappointed if that position did not satisfy the ALCP, because in the past when she had met representatives, "they've been more than happy with that position".

Mrs Turia said because the other parties were not fighting the by-election, she hoped one could be avoided because of the cost to the taxpayer in staging it.

If the by-election is held, Mrs Turia will probably stand as an independent, as the Maori party forming around her has yet to take shape.

Mr Appleby said yesterday Mrs Turia's position on decriminalisation was on the right track.  "We're on the way.  I'm delighted we've managed to extract that from her."

He hoped to meet her next week to discuss her position.  "Hopefully we'll be able to reach some accord."

Mr Appleby said use of cannabis among Maori was "quite a bit higher" than among non-Maori.

"The problem with prohibition is in fact affecting Maori people far more probably than the foreshore issue or a lot of other issues.

"We feel that we should be out there making sure that the whole problem of prohibition isn't swept under the carpet.  And if in fact it takes a by-election to focus on that, then so much the better."