New Zealand:

[Ferre]

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 19:48:54 -0800

From: "D. Paul Stanford" <stanford@crrh.org>

Subject: 008 New Zealand: Police Tried To Nab Pot-Smoking MP

 

Newshawk: JimmyG

Pubdate: Sun, 29 Dec 2002

Source: Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand)

Webpage: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2154218a11,00.html

Copyright: 2002 Sunday Star-Times

Contact: feedback@star-times.co.nz

Website: http://www.sundaystartimes.co.nz

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1064

Author: Amie Richardson and Jonathan Milne

 

POLICE TRIED TO NAB POT-SMOKING MP

 

Bill Clinton got away with it by saying he didn't inhale. Nandor Tanczos

got away with it even when he did.

 

But police now believe historical admissions of cannabis use can be used to

support a prosecution.

 

Documents released to the Sunday Star-Times under the Official Information

Act about the police inquiry into a complaint against the Green MP for

marijuana smoking show a prima facie case may have been established.

 

A report by Wellington district crime manager detective inspector Harry

Quinn said prosecutors could call as witnesses the journalists to whom

Tanczos had made his voluntary admissions of cannabis use.

 

"A prima facie case may be able to be established, although that would

depend on the detail disclosed by the journalists during interview."

 

Police estimated Tanczos smoked 12.5 joints - worth about $40 - in 20

months. They based the figure on Tanczos' status as a current user and NZ

First MP Craig McNair, who laid the complaint, claiming there had been 20

incidents of cannabis use.

 

However, despite the potential for a prosecution, police concluded the

matter would generate public disapproval and have a negative impact on drug

debate.

 

"A significant section of society, whatever their views on cannabis use,

would see the investigation of and a prosecution of a member of parliament

for very minor historic cannabis offences as an inappropriate use of police

resources," said Quinn.

 

"A prosecution may well have some significant detrimental impacts upon

public health officials, social workers, counsellors, drug rehabilitation

workers, employment agencies, medical practitioners and the like, who are

reliant upon open and frank disclosure in order to accomplish positive

outcomes."

 

McNair said he was seeking legal advice and a private prosecution was

"definitely an option".

 

Tanczos was unavailable for comment.

[Tom]

NZ First MP Craig McNair, who laid the complaint, claiming there had been 20 incidents of cannabis use.

McNair said he was seeking legal advice and a private prosecution was "definitely an option".

 

If this guy had a brain he'd be lonely, the fools that voted for him can't be any smarter either.

 

http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/ruinkai/coolgleamA.gif http://64.207.13.28/mysmilies/otn/glasses/smokin.gif