Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: This is Your TV on Drugs

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  • BenWilson,

    And we're not going to learn much from that at all.

    To be fair, I once learned that pies from servos can be dangerously hot.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    It all goes to show that cannabis prohibition is nothing more than a modern-day superstition.

    If the other two shows are example of popular television that might take us somewhere in terms of policy, New Zealand’s Drug Bust is simply about policing. And we’re not going to learn much from that at all.

    On the other hand, we have had High Time on TV3.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Barnard,

    Actually, if the the authorities want to discourage young people from taking drugs, showing Keith Allen taking them on TV is as good a way as any.

    In fact just showing Keith Allen on TV drugs or no drugs, would work.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2012 • 72 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    The Colorado example is really interesting. At some point we will certainly shift to legalise and tax and regulate marijuana and probably other drugs. It may take time but it will happen, simply because prohibition does not work well for societies. Prohibition does of course work very well for criminals.

    When it does happen we can only hope that the legislators will look at how other places have managed the process of legalisation and learn from what worked and what did not. The transition will need to be managed properly to avoid doing unecessary harm.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson,

    The difference is now moot. On the first Tuesday of November, Amendment 64 to the state constitution passed by referendum: legalising, taxing and regulating the possession and cultivation of cannabis by adults. That’s the next series sorted, then.

    Interesting to see what the DEA does.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    At some point we will certainly shift to legalise and tax and regulate marijuana and probably other drugs.

    One day, the Sheriff, he won't even be a white man.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    Interesting to see what the DEA does.

    I've seen speculation that the federal government will pick a case and invite the courts to find that federal law trumps state law. In which case, all hell will break loose. We would certainly see some Republicans line up behind Colorado and Washington State.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Will de Cleene, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I’ve seen speculation that the federal government will pick a case and invite the courts to find that federal law trumps state law. In which case, all hell will break loose.

    I hope it reaches the SCOTUS. Considering the Federal Marijuana Program supplying medical users has existed for decades, there will be some interesting arguments.

    Raumati • Since Jul 2011 • 107 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Russell Brown,

    The Supreme Court has already found (Gonzales v Raich) that the Federal government has power to proscribe marijuana (or anything else, except guns presumably).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Scott Chris, in reply to Russell Brown,

    We would certainly see some Republicans line up behind Colorado and Washington State.

    Whoever draws the short straw.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    We would certainly see some Republicans line up behind Colorado and Washington State.

    Some of the twister level contortions some of them are going to have to do to come out against state rights because their dislike of marijuana trumps that principle are going to be fun.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    New level of brazen

    $75??????????????????????

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Barnard,

    Sort of Lily in the Sky With Diamonds?

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Graham,

    Interesting comment in this interview with a Kiwi paramedic on Afternoons with Jim Mora (getting very good these days). He talks about the affects on his working life once party pills started getting banned and our yoof started returning to alcohol again - not so good...http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/aft/aft-20121203-1508-priority_one_the_life_and_times_of_a_kiwi_paramedic-00.ogg

    Would it be possible, one day, to have a proper discussion around the societal approach to drugs without an automatic default to prohibition from Those In Charge...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 218 posts Report Reply

  • Barnard, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    Some of the twister level contortions some of them are going to have to do to come out against state rights because their dislike of marijuana trumps that principle are going to be fun.

    It'll be a test of whether the ones who claim to be Libertarian are true to those values.

    Of course most of them have failed the hypocrisy test many times over already.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2012 • 72 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    Like gay marriage rights vs. DOMA.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Shulgin,

    TV shows are like...well let's say Aladdin's Cave..are like ....well like a trip to Switched On Gardener...funny how the jury found 2 of 5 guilty, but then again I didn't shit through 9 weeks... opps I mean sit through, of embarrassing tripe from the NZ Police...well done operation Lime and Bitters, and therein lies the sting, telling the gardening store your muther has cancer, can you help me with her... with her pain.....Well done chaps, I biffed the TV, and all that is left is fantasy gardening at SOG...switched on....indeed...what did Plato say about caves? It's all a bit Dutch...

    NZ • Since May 2011 • 125 posts Report Reply

  • greenlove33,

    I really enjoyed the latest issue of the NZDF’S Matters of Substance. I was shocked at the graphics that accompanied the article about cannabis however, the NZDF needs a new supplier, the weed pic looked like rugged, rugged bush weed. And Im pretty sure the joint was a tobacco roll your own. Great article.

    I would prefer a pic of some green, purple and blue medicinal bud from a clinic somewhere, just a minor niggle. Imagine being able to go into a nice, safe clinic to buy your medicine as opposed to supporting organised crime in NZ atm! Its a pleasant dream.

    Im definitely going to watch American Weed, it sounds very interesting. I am pretty sad that we lost a lot of the MDMA type psychotherapy thanks to idiots like Bert Potter and his cronies. Now all these types of treatments are labelled as ‘hippy nonsense’ when there is a lot of truth and power in loving your fellow human.

    Legalise, regulate and tax. All drugs.

    Centered • Since Aug 2009 • 34 posts Report Reply

  • tussock,

    And we’re not going to learn much from [Drug Bust] at all.

    I don't know about that. Most of my more conservative relatives have been surprised to see that a lot of pot growers look just like poor single mums with a lot of mouths to feed, and aren't exactly living it up while doing so.

    Puts a new light on us having thousands of people in prison for growing pot, many of whom have property subsequently seized with other dodgy laws.

    At some point we will certainly shift to legalise and tax and regulate marijuana and probably other drugs.

    With all the kickbacks the parties get from the booze? Not f*kin likely. It's not about what it costs society, eh, it's about what it earns the political machine.

    Since Nov 2006 • 611 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Interesting. Obama has been interviewed about marijuana legalisation and -- contrary to most predictions -- says it "wouldn't make sense" for the federal government to pursue pot busts in Colorado and Washington.

    This is actually pretty big news.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    This is actually pretty big news.

    Also pretty good news.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    The last three US presidents smoked pot when young. Obama was the first to talk about it honestly. Even before the election he backed gay marriage. I think we'll see more openly where Obama stands on a range of issues now there's no election to consider.

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I saw that. Can he actually do that? If a DEA or FBI agent decides to go round busting Coloradans, can the President direct them to desist?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    It would probably be much less direct. The President appoints the directors of the FBI, so presumably has a lot of influence over them. An FBI ignoring the Administration's position is one risking a big broom. But does the FBI go after pot anyway? Seems a bit small-potatoes for them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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