As media attention focuses on the major parties in the upcoming elections, the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP) is asking New Zealand to give them a voice in Parliament.
This content was prepared by the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as Advertorial.
Following Labour’s 2020 referendum on cannabis legislation – 48.4% yes defeated by 50.7% no – it at least sparked open conversation, according to ALCP party co-leader Maki Herbert.
“In 2020 1.4 million people voted yes. Though the referendum was against us, it opened the door to talk out loud. Education is the key. It’s not about smoking weed. It’s about giving choice.”
The Far North great-grandmother and ‘green fairy’ is certified and verified to sell medicinal cannabis. She is standing again this year for Te Tai Tokerau, while party founder and co-leader, barrister and lecturer Michael Appleby, is standing in Wellington North. Working for change for decades, he helped lead the fight to legalise medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp.
With 12 candidates contesting the election next month, Herbert would love – where possible – that ALCP gets two ticks, but the party vote is vital if supporters want a voice in Parliament.
ALCP believes the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is out of date, and wants cannabis removed altogether. Medicinal cannabis was legalised in December 2018, with the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme officially introduced in April 2020. Restricted to prescription only by a doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist prescriber, products must meet the Ministry of Health’s strict safety and quality verification.
Government data shows the increased volume of prescribed cannabis products now surpasses more than 380,000 units annually under the scheme. With changing attitudes to cannabis usage, ALCP believes pursuing the underground cannabis community is against the Bill of Rights Act 1990. The party wants freedom for people to grow their own plants or have affordable access from R18 licensed outlets; with expungement of cannabis convictions.
“The cannabis community receives severe treatment and punishment disproportionately for consuming a herb, that is now regarded as a medicine, if you get it from the doctor. Hypocrisy and double standards.”
Northland medicinal cannabis advocate, Paul ‘Gandalf’ Smith faces illegal cannabis cultivation and supply charges after arrest in February last year. Following his first court appearance to review his case, Smith is due to reappear in Whangarei District Court to set a date for his trial. Risking lengthy imprisonment, he has attracted ongoing support from the Auckland Patients Group and throughout New Zealand.
Like ALCP, Smith wants a debate on cannabis law reform. In New Zealand the cannabis plant and seeds are listed as Class C drugs, with cannabis resin and oil preparations classified as Class B. When compared with all psychoactive substances in New Zealand, a 2023 University of Otago study ranked cannabis ninth. Alcohol topped the list, followed by methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids, tobacco, non-prescription opioids, illegal fentanyls, opioid sub products and prescription opioids.
Despite former Prime Minister Helen Clark publicly saying she believed there was still a mandate for drug law reform following the 2020 referendum, there is no current move towards change. This lack of political will is not lost on ALCP.
With hemp products freely available to the public, ALCP wants its herbal cousin fully recognised as a valuable industry, that would support the economy and diminish the illegal market.
Following legalisation in Canada, a six-year study by Deloitte recognised challenges still with the illicit sector, but noted the industry generated more than $28 billion in sales; contributed $76.5 billion in GDP gain, plus significant tax revenue. ALCP says with Canada’s cannabis economy scaled down to New Zealand’s population, it indicates $2 billion per annum GDP. Herbert goes further and says the opposite scenario costs New Zealand millions.
“Prohibition has never worked anywhere. Costing this country around 500 million dollars a year, it would be better spent on housing, health, education and infrastructure.”
Her message: “Get out and vote.”
See more at www.alcp.org.nz
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