Critic & Cannabis

The front cover of the first issue of Critic this year has stimulated a minor controversy in Dunedin.

The cover features a full-page photograph of some cannabis plants next to a Students' Association tie. A caption to the photograph reads "Will no other vice content you?" (The quotation is from John Donne).

The cover photograph relates to a four-page article on cannabis. Critic Editor Peter Dickson said that he placed notices in the Student Union Building asking for anyone who had cannabis plants to supply Critic with a photograph. A roll of film found in the Critic delivery box provided the photograph which was used on the cover.

The photograph was brought to the attention of the Police by members of the press. Peter Dickson said that he had heard that the Police considered that submitting the photograph to Critic was "a particularly impertinent act" and if they caught the person responsible he would "get at least six months".

According to Peter Dickson the Otago Vice-Chancellor has said that he is fully prepared to back the Police up in any efforts they may make to locate the person who supplied the photograph to Critic.