Swarbrick 1 Bennett 0

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1. Tuppence Shrewsbury 1

   9 May 2019 at 1:21 pm

   National's one chance of winning the next election, Legalising cannabis, flying out the window with an extension of New Zealands puritanical rump being promoted on twitter and in parliament
2. woodart 2

   9 May 2019 at 1:33 pm

   even many old white men(nat rump) smoke dope and want it legalised. you would (or maybe not) be surprised by how much dope is sold to pensioners at waikanae beach….way more effective, and way less unpleasant side effects than legally prescribed medication…
   • David H 2.1

     9 May 2019 at 4:11 pm

     Well the prescription drugs have some horrid side effects, to say nothing of making you feel weird.. A little pot is good for anyone, and Don't forget us pensioners grew up in the 70's
     • Dukeofurl 2.1.1

       9 May 2019 at 6:04 pm

       Would you say impairing brain development of people under 25 is the same as 'side effects'.

       If any prescription drug showed that during clinical trials it would NOT make it into release.
       • arkie 2.1.1.1

         9 May 2019 at 6:22 pm

         More study needed

         …Rats given THC, the chemical that puts the high in marijuana, show persistent cognitive difficulties if exposed around the time of puberty—but not if they are exposed as adults.

         But the case for permanent damage is not airtight. Studies in rats tend to use much higher doses of THC than even a committed pothead would absorb, and rodent adolescence is just a couple of weeks long—nothing like ours. With brain-imaging studies, the samples are small, and the causality is uncertain. It is particularly hard to untangle factors such as childhood poverty, abuse and neglect, which also make their mark on brain anatomy and which correlate with more substance abuse…

         …

         To really sort this out, we need to look at kids from childhood to early adulthood. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, now under way at the National Institutes of Health, should fill the gap. The 10-year project will follow 10,000 children from age nine or 10, soaking up information from brain scans, genetic and psychological tests, academic records and surveys. Among other things, it should help pin down the complex role marijuana seems to play in triggering schizophrenia in some people.

         What Pot Really Does to the Teen Brain – How much should we worry? Scientific American, 2017
         • Dukeofurl 2.1.1.1.1

           10 May 2019 at 9:19 am

           https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/regular-marijuana-use-teens-continues-be-concern

           and the rats is a red herring.

           '. Numerous human studies, including prospective longitudinal studies, demonstrate that early cannabis use is associated with major depressive disorder and drug addiction. A strong association between schizophrenia and cannabis use is also apparent, especially when considering genetic factors that interact with this environmental exposure.

           https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3796318/
           • arkie 2.1.1.1.1.1

             10 May 2019 at 9:46 am

             You said:

             impairing brain development of people under 25

             The studies you have linked to don’t have this finding. From the conclusion:

             ….Based on the current evidence available from human and animal models, it is evident that cannabis use during adolescent development increases risk of psychiatric diseases such as drug addiction and schizoaffective disorders with genetic interactions. No convincing data exist to support one “common cause”; that exclusively predicts which individuals using cannabis as teens will progress to addiction and psychiatric disorders later in life versus those who do not. Psychiatric diseases, such as those discussed in this review, are complex and multifactorial. Indeed, the complex transition from early cannabis use to subsequent psychiatric illness involves multiple factors such as genetics, environment, time period of initiation and duration of cannabis use, underlying psychiatric pathology that preceded drug use, and combined use of other psychoactive drugs. Whether the early onset of cannabis use relates to preexisting pathology that is then exacerbated by the drug is still debated. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether there exist specific critical windows of vulnerability during different phases of adolescent development relevant to the long-term trajectory of risk in adulthood. Longitudinal investigations, making use of neuroimaging and genetics, alongside concurrent studies in animal models are needed to fully elucidate molecular mechanisms that could provide novel treatment interventions for individuals with psychiatric disease and comorbid adolescent cannabis use.

             So this study uses human and animal data, says these issues are complex and multifaceted, and also recommends more longitudinal studies.

             I think an age limit of 20 years is a good way of preventing use by teenagers as much as possible.
           • michelle 2.1.1.1.1.2

             10 May 2019 at 1:30 pm

             really i know people who use it for depression they say its better than taking anti depressants for many years
         • the other pat 2.1.1.1.2

           13 May 2019 at 2:17 pm

           as an ex user older fella… thru my own use and observation of other users my concern is that there are only a few who can go without it until they finish the bag so to speak any many just stay high all day….i support totally the medical use of it and support the restriction to over 18….maybe even 20.

           im also curious as where this lies with current drug use policies in the workforce….if the law says you can use does the company drug policy supercede the law?
       • Lucy 2.1.1.2

         10 May 2019 at 8:50 am

         Really? These are known side effects for many of the "legal" drugs that come to market, as well as suicidal thoughts. Many psychotropic drugs are given to children that change their brain chemistry forever to deal with ADHD, depression, acne and other diseases. Whilst I am tentative about giving dope to developing brains a lot of people under 25 are self medicating and there are not many options.
         • Dukeofurl 2.1.1.2.1

           10 May 2019 at 9:21 am

           "Many psychotropic drugs are given to children that change their brain chemistry forever to deal with ADHD, depression, acne and other diseases"

           Is that the view of the Scientologists?
           • arkie 2.1.1.2.1.1

             10 May 2019 at 9:28 am

             Have you heard of Roaccutane? A powerful acne drug prescribed largely to teens with some alarming side effects:

             So if Accutane can actually prevent acne from developing, why would anyone hesitate to take it?

             Answer: Possible side effects, including depression, suicidal thoughts, birth defects, intense headaches, dry skin, cracking lips, dry eyes, nose bleeds, stomach aches, muscle pain, joint pain, and increased sun sensitivity.

             Before Accuatane was approved by the FDA, testing indicated that it could cause fetal abnormalities in animals, so from the launch of the drug, Roche issued warnings that pregnant women should not take Accutane.

             But warnings for many of the other side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts, were not issued. And many people who took the drug complained of depression, suicidal thoughts, muscle pain, joint pain, and other side effects. And, unfortunately, some died by suicide.

             Acne Medication Accutane (Roaccutane / Isotretinoin) and Suicide
             • Dukeofurl …

               10 May 2019 at 1:46 pm

               teenagers dying by suicide ?
               • arkie …

                 10 May 2019 at 3:07 pm

                 Wait, do we care about teenagers or not?
       • Blazer 2.1.1.3

         10 May 2019 at 9:00 am

         Recommended reading for you…'Bad Pharma'-Ben Goldacre.
3. Kay 3

   9 May 2019 at 1:36 pm

   Chloe's not the only one who owned her. The comments are hilarious 🙂
4. Psycho Milt 4

   9 May 2019 at 1:40 pm

   If Bennett weren't such an unpleasant person I'd feel sorry for her. National's position on this is indefensible but she's tasked with defending it, which would be a shit job even if you weren't trying to defend against someone as sharp and as well-informed as Chlöe Swarbrick. Not going to be a good few months for Paula…
   • solkta 4.1

     9 May 2019 at 1:58 pm

     It's going to be a lot longer than a few months as this will be a major issue right through to the election and then still after it, assuming a win, as the bill passes through Parliament.
   • KJT 4.2

     9 May 2019 at 1:59 pm

     Right wing politicians, are in actuality, Alien Lizards, infiltrated to heat up the world until it is uninhabitable for humans, so they can migrate here.
5. Chris 5

   9 May 2019 at 2:35 pm

   The funniest thing of all is Bennett's past.
   • Incognito 5.1

     9 May 2019 at 3:53 pm

     Her future looks even more hazy.
   • OnceWasTim 5.2

     9 May 2019 at 4:06 pm

     Careful! You'll have her screaming she's a victim
     • Chris 5.2.1

       9 May 2019 at 4:20 pm

       "We all have pasts, Paula."
       • Dukeofurl 5.2.1.1

         9 May 2019 at 6:06 pm

         Setting up the Napier Tattoo social club is not the 'past' of most national Mps.
         • KJT 5.2.1.1.1

           9 May 2019 at 8:11 pm

           Bennett, escaping from her past would be something to be proud of, as we know how difficult it is to be upwardly mobile in New Zealand since 84.

           If it wasn't for the fact, she has been busily pulling up the ladder for anyone similar, ever since she got some power.
6. gsays 6

   9 May 2019 at 3:05 pm

   It is unbelievable that Bennett (and Bridges for that matter) don't have better advisors.

   It reminds me of this Dylan Moran riff on men and women arguing. The nats will be the men in this example, rolling out the same old tropes.

   https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ79wJ0tkhg
7. esoteric pineapples 7

   9 May 2019 at 3:40 pm

   This video on the subject is educational and funny at the same time and a reminder of why many people choose cannabis over alcohol

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9AHQXh_RM
8. indiana 8

   9 May 2019 at 4:32 pm

   At the 2017 Election the Greens got 6.27% of the party vote. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_New_Zealand_general_election

   Using her argument, 93.73% of the party vote was to ensure the Greens were almost wiped from existence. At best her argument is to take a negative an try to turn it to a positive. I doubt very much she thinks she owned Paula.
   • solkta 8.1

     9 May 2019 at 4:36 pm

     The Greens had an MOU with Labour and were the most obvious coalition partner for Labour. Why would you think Labour voters wanted to wipe them out?
     • indiana 8.1.1

       9 May 2019 at 4:53 pm

       Your reply doesn't change her retort to Paula. Paula says 38% still go to the black market, Chloe says 62% don't any more. 93.73% didn't want the Greens, irrespective of any MOU.
       • McFlock 8.1.1.1

         9 May 2019 at 5:17 pm

         Do you really think the objective of elections is to eradicate opposition parties?

         There was a law change to make a particular industry (MJ dealers for organised crime) obsolete by replacing it with a more accessible and regulated model (legal pot dealers).

         Within six months the obsolete trade is a minority fraction of the market, simply due to competition.
       • solkta 8.1.1.2

         9 May 2019 at 6:20 pm

         and so what? If the Greens had gotten 62% they alone would be the government. 62% is a good figure. It makes no difference to Pulla's stupidity whatever the Greens got in the election.
       • mickysavage 8.1.1.3

         9 May 2019 at 8:27 pm

         That is a really weird comparison.
         • Sacha 8.1.1.3.1

           10 May 2019 at 9:48 am

           When they bring FPP thinking to a gunfight 🙂
       • KJT 8.1.1.4

         9 May 2019 at 8:33 pm

         About the same number of voters that, didn't, want National.
       • michelle 8.1.1.5

         10 May 2019 at 1:51 pm

         Indiana we have an MMP system it doesn't matter how many didn't want the Greens how many didn't want Act but they still got a seat and their charter school policy despite having such small voter numbers now is that right?
   • Gabby 8.2

     9 May 2019 at 5:06 pm

     Indinana's a very clever lady isn't she Pulla.
   • Sarah 8.3

     9 May 2019 at 5:25 pm

     Well I usually vote Greens with my party vote but this time voted Labour. Why? Because it was so very important to give Labour as many votes as possible so National were not allowed anywhere near govt for the foreseeable future. Greens vote would have been higher except a lot of people I spoke to felt like I did, and I spoke to many people, canvassing on behalf of both parties.
     • Cinny 8.3.1

       9 May 2019 at 7:09 pm

       I did the same Sarah, with my party vote. Next year I'll probably vote Greens.
     • Sacha 8.3.2

       10 May 2019 at 9:52 am

       How would voting Green rather than Labour have helped the Nats? It's MMP.
9. A 9

   9 May 2019 at 6:31 pm

   I can't even get CBD oil on script and it's legal and doesn't have any THC.

   Issues:

   – GP doesn't know if he can prescribe it or if it's specialist as he thinks it might be

   – Supplier of legal CBD seems to have disappeared (?)

   – cost…a whopping $200/ around 8wks.

   Guess we all know where I'll be getting some. FFS. Make it legal and taxable and stop wasting time.
10. Ken 10

    9 May 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Perhaps the Nats realise that they have to hit rock bottom before they can recover…..and that's what they're aiming for.
    • peterlepaysan 10.1

      9 May 2019 at 8:39 pm

      Nats still think they should be the government even tho the stupid electorate disagree. Sigh.
      • peterh 10.1.1

        10 May 2019 at 8:00 am

        Come on they got the highest vote you have to be fair. we will have some un happy chappies on here with those comments
        • Sacha 10.1.1.1

          10 May 2019 at 9:53 am

          It's not First Past the Post anymore. How many decades does it take for some people's mindset to change?
    • Chris 10.2

      10 May 2019 at 8:54 am

      Does that mean Paula will finally be able to go to rehab?
11. michelle 11

    10 May 2019 at 1:46 pm

    the black market wont be reduced immediately because it will take years before the government can put measures in place to support the policy , where people can smoke, how much they are allowed, where they can buy it, how much they can buy each time, age, levels of THC, taxes, laws around driving while under the influence these are just some of the issues that need to be sorted.

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