Cannabis and Legalisation in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Recently I flew domestically and on reaching my destination, found a message inside my checked-in bag to say that it had been opened and searched, presumably because some sharp-eyed security person spotted my stash of legal medicinal cannabis which was inside on the x-ray (I use cannabis for insomnia, as well as to feel better overall).  So Russell Brown’s recent article in the Listener (The two tiers of cannabis use, 9 November 2024) really resonated with me.  As he points out, we now have a two tier system in this country – a legalized medicinal ‘market’, where quality and legality of cannabis are guaranteed for those who can afford it, and a large, unregulated black market for everybody else, where buyers may also be exposed to  dangerous drugs like crystal meth and cocaine. 

Some party leaders who were asked about legalisation prior to the last election said they ‘respected the outcome of the 2020 referendum’ which saw the anti-legalisation vote win by just 2.3%.  However, 63% of those under 50 years of age were in favour of legalisation.  One wonders what the result would be if the referendum were held again now.

So where should the country go next on the legalisation pathway? Examples of both good and bad practice abound globally, but Uruguay and Canada should be looked at more closely, having introduced full legalisation of the use of cannabis several years ago, albeit using different models.   In both countries, the cannabis industry has created numerous jobs and contributed significantly to GDP.  In neither case has there been a dramatic upsurge in young people using cannabis, as some feared.

However, those in power here need to plan for legalisation now, rather than taking a ‘head in the sand’ approach as they appear to be doing.