Simon and Phil clash on cannabis legalisation: 'Marijuana is a drug'

Afternoons host Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford have taken opposing sides in the legalisation of cannabis. 
The Government yesterday released the draft cannabis law ahead of next year's referendum. 
A ban on all advertising of cannabis products, no online sales - and a minimum purchase age of 20.
It comes alongside a new Government website with public information on the draft Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill - and the End of Life Choice Act.
While Phil says he does not like the idea of stores selling cannabis, he does not mind people growing it in their own backyard. 
He says that if you work "gangbusters" with teenagers, you can control the message and limit the spread the way it has with smoking.
"It's worked with tobacco, why wouldn't it work with cannabis? Tobacco is just as addictive as cannabis." 
When Simon said that smoking is still rampant around Maori and Pasifika communities, Phil hit back, saying it's not as high as it was.
When Simon pointed out it is a drug, Phil hit back by pointing out so is tobacco. 
"Would you prefer a 18-year-old smoking a cigarette and jumping in the car, or smoking a joint and jumping in the car?" Simon asked. "Smoking might kill you but it'll take 20 years, you might take three people out by drug driving." 
Simon said that it is putting a huge problem on society by legalising it. 
"Well what if you gave up on tobacco? If you took that attitude to tobacco, you would never have had campaigns against tobacco," Phil said. 
The two hosts both agreed that it should not be put to a referendum.

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