High time OUSA took charge

They are far from dopes - so why are the bright young things at the Otago University Students Association giving a skerrick of consideration to selling cannabis?

Even if the drug becomes legal following the referendum at next year's general election, it would be inappropriate for the association to get into the marijuana trade.

And that could happen. Last week, students voted to investigate the prospect of entering the weed business should the drug be decriminalised next year. It was far from unanimous, but when 70 members out of about 120 vote "yes", there is a reasonable mandate.

The OUSA has distanced itself from the issue, saying it did not have an official position on whether it should sell cannabis or not, that it had no specific plans to enter the drug trade.

Why even facilitate the debate? Why consider making it easier to access and smoke marijuana, especially when the jury is still out on the exact effects of moderate to high usage of the drug on young brains?

A students' association should not be in the business of dealing drugs, legal or otherwise, just like it should not be trying to sell cheap booze, something it was denied earlier this year.

The OUSA exists, in its own words, to "ensure Otago students have the ultimate student experience" - that does not need to entail getting high.

It "provides students with representation, welfare, advocacy, recreation, fun events and media" - nothing in there about bongs or spliffs.

It wants "mostly the same things" as university staff and stakeholders: "a culture of excellence in teaching and research and excellent student services" - primarily education, in other words.

Earlier this year, this newspaper applauded the OUSA for engaging the services of experts to provide free testing to ensure students willingly taking recreational drugs knew exactly what was in those drugs. That was a smart move with the overriding concern being the health of the students.

Flogging marijuana to those same students is a step too far.

The association should heed the words of a University of Otago authority on the effects of cannabis. Associate Prof Joseph Boden declared his strong opposition to the OUSA selling the drug, pointing out the effects on young, regular users of cannabis could be significant on their mental health and job prospects.

The OUSA might fairly argue that it is not advocating for cannabis to be sold through the association, merely "encouraging the debate".

But that is a cop-out. Stick to your knitting, OUSA, and send a blunt message that even legal marijuana is not welcome on campus.

AND ANOTHER THING

What a big week for two Otago sporting identities at opposite ends of their careers.

It was tempting, indeed, to visualise All Black great - yes, he has earned that lofty status - Ben Smith metaphorically handing over the baton to exciting young swimmer Erika Fairweather.

One is nearing the twilight of his extraordinary career; the other has made an extraordinary beginning to hers.

Smith might not now be an automatic selection in the All Blacks' starting XV but his place in the squad that will chase a World Cup threepeat in Japan was never truly in doubt.

His class, talent and loyalty have shown through over the past decade, and we can be indulged the dream of our final sight of him in a black jersey being with a winner's medal around his neck.

As for Fairweather, the sky is the limit. Swimming is a sport taken seriously by all major (in terms of both population and resources) nations, and a 15-year-old girl from Dunedin becoming a world junior champion is a very big deal. She seems to be in the lane bound for elite success, and we will watch her progress with interest.