"The anti-cannabis raids termed Operation Lime have struck a firm blow against freedom," declared Libertarianz Drugs Spokesman Luke Howison today. "Coming so close together with Geoffrey Palmer's anti-alcohol Law Commission report, these raids and arrests remind New Zealanders that our government simply does not trust us."

"National does not believe adults can be trusted to choose what substances they wish to put into their bodies. Labour does not believe we can be trusted to buy the correct bread or lightbulbs. And neither Nanny State party believe we can be trusted to spend our own money; instead taking it from us by force to spend on our behalf."

"National and Labour have forgotten that government is the servant, not the master, of the people. The government has no right to tell us what drugs not to take, any more than it has a right to tell us what food not to eat or clothes not to wear."

"Police Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope claims that the raids have broken 'the cornerstone of the illicit cannabis cultivation industry'. He is lying, and he knows it. No government has ever been able to halt supply of any illicit substance. These raids may temporarily push up the price of an ounce of green, but with many thousands of hard-working New Zealanders involved in the cannabis industry, supply will soon rebound."

"There is no sense in legislation which criminalises half the country. Two thirds of young people, and half of all adults under the age of 50, have used cannabis. Marijuana is mainstream. Criminalisation of something so mundane makes an ass of the law, and criminals of otherwise law-abiding people."

"Libertarianz would legalise cannabis and any other drugs which individuals may choose to consume. Police should be concentrating on real crimes with real victims. Perhaps then they would have the numbers and resources to focus on protecting New Zealand's citizens instead of doing them over."

"It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz!"

For more information, please contact:

Luke Howison
Libertarianz Drugs Spokesman
Phone: 027 314 3007
Email: luke.howison@libertarianz.org.nz

Libertarianz: More Freedom, Less Government
www.libertarianz.org.nz