Cannabis Activists in New Zealand Rebel against a New Anachronistic and Unacceptable Law

According to the Cannabis Party, the political group that is calling for the legalisation of marijuana in New Zealand, the new law governing these types of substances in the country conflicts with “the best international practices” and is not fit to be presented before the UN in 2016. They also consider it a clear regression towards the ill-advised decisions made in the 20th century, and something “totally at odds with the scientific evidence.”

Among other aspects, the activists complain that New Zealand's drug policy is based on the assumption that citizens are not able to make their own decisions, as they are forced to put up with moralistic and totalitarian impositions.

The members of the cannabis party point out that while beneficial plants are prohibited in the therapeutic sphere, other medicines are legally accessible, even though do great harm to New Zealanders. And they observe that this new policy fails to make a distinction between hazardous substances, such as hard drugs and alcohol, and those that do not pose a risk.

Neither does the new law make a distinction between marijuana production and commercialization. They argue that this will not help to reduce harm, as continued support for prohibition is actually “the main cause” of the problems related to certain products. In fact, it is estimated that 95% of the problems associated with certain substances are directly related to the government's poor handling of these types of policies.

The activists believe that marijuana should be subject to a specific law, and the Cannabis Party will work towards this goal if elected to Parliament. They are aware that, in addition to benefits for users, the plant's regulation also generates new business opportunities, as demonstrated by the case of Colorado.