Cannabis in New Zealand: Difference between revisions
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On 18 December 2018, the Government announced a [[2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum|nationwide]], referendum on the legality of cannabis for personal use, set to be held as part of the [[2020 New Zealand general election|2020 general election]].<ref name="Referendum-RNZ"/> Contrary to the pre-election commitment of the Government, the results of this referendum were not binding and the passage of the legislation would have required a majority vote in parliament. |
On 18 December 2018, the Government announced a [[2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum|nationwide]], referendum on the legality of cannabis for personal use, set to be held as part of the [[2020 New Zealand general election|2020 general election]].<ref name="Referendum-RNZ"/> Contrary to the pre-election commitment of the Government, the results of this referendum were not binding and the passage of the legislation would have required a majority vote in parliament. |
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The preminimary results of the referendum showed 53.1% of voters were against legalisation, with 46.1% in support. While this result did not include 'special' votes, which will be announced on November 6th,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Referendum results: Cannabis legalisation narrowly loses vote|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/cannabis-referendum/123249113/referendum-results-cannabis-legalisation-narrowly-loses-vote|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Justice Minister Andrew Little]] said it was "highly unlikely" special votes would overturn the preliminary result |
The preminimary results of the referendum showed 53.1% of voters were against legalisation, with 46.1% in support. While this result did not include 'special' votes, which will be announced on November 6th,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Referendum results: Cannabis legalisation narrowly loses vote|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/cannabis-referendum/123249113/referendum-results-cannabis-legalisation-narrowly-loses-vote|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Justice Minister Andrew Little]] said it was "highly unlikely" special votes would overturn the preliminary result.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Highly unlikely' referendum results will be overturned by special votes, says Andrew Little|language=en-NZ|work=TVNZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/highly-unlikely-referendum-results-overturned-special-votes-says-andrew-little|access-date=2020-10-30}}</ref> |
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==Enforcement== |
==Enforcement== |
Revision as of 06:42, 30 October 2020
The use of cannabis in New Zealand is regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which makes unauthorised possession of any amount of cannabis a crime. Cannabis is the fourth-most widely used recreational drug in New Zealand, after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, and the most widely used illicit drug. In 2001 a household survey revealed that 13.4% of New Zealanders aged 15–64 used cannabis. This ranked as the ninth-highest cannabis consumption level in the world.[1]
From 18 December 2018, the Misuse of Drugs act was amended, allowing for much broader use of medical marijuana, making the drug available to terminally ill patients in the last 12 months of life.[2]
In December 2018, the Labour-led government announced a referendum on the legality of cannabis for personal use, to be held as part of the 2020 general election.[3] This was a condition of the Green Party giving confidence and supply to the Government.[4][5][6] In 2020 the referendum was held, asking voters whether they support a new bill which would regulate sale, production and possession of cannabis in New Zealand,[7] in which the 'no' vote won according to a preliminary tally.[8]
History
Among Britain's colonies, New Zealand was one of the few areas where the United Kingdom did not encourage extensive industrial hemp production, as the native harakeke plant could instead be used for fibre.[9] In 1927, New Zealand passed the Dangerous Drugs Act, whose schedule listed, among other controlled drugs:
Indian hemp—that is, the dried flowering or fruiting tops of the pistillate plant known as Cannabis sativa L. from which the resin has not been extracted, and
including—
- (a) Resin obtained from Indian hemp;
- (b) Preparations of which the resin from Indian hemp forms the base; and
- (c) Extracts and tinctures of Indian hemp.[10]
Cannabis continued to be used as a prescription medication. In accordance with its international obligations under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, New Zealand passed the Narcotics Act in 1965, which banned a number of drugs, including cannabis.[11]
Recreational cannabis use was rare in New Zealand for most of the 20th century, with one scholar noting 1967 as a watershed point where demand for cannabis boomed among "musicians and university students".[11]
Usage
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in New Zealand and the fourth-most widely used recreational drug after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.[12] The usage by those aged between 16–64 is 13.4%, the ninth-highest level of consumption in the world,[1] and 15.1% of those who smoked cannabis used it ten times or more per month.[12] According to a UN study usage by 15- to 45-year-olds in 2003 was about 20% and this dropped to 17.9% in 2010.[13]
A 25-year longitudinal study of "1000 Christchurch born young people between the ages of 15–25"[14] called the "Christchurch Health and Development Study" found that over two thirds of the cohort had used cannabis at least once by the age of 21 with 5% of the cohort having used cannabis more than 400 times.[15] The study concluded that "regular or heavy cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of using other illicit drugs, abusing or becoming dependent upon other illicit drugs, and using a wider variety of other illicit drugs".[16] The lead author of the study, David Fergusson, stated:
- Our research shows the regular use of cannabis increases the risks that young people will try other illicit drugs. What's not clear are the underlying processes that lead to this association. Understanding these processes is critical to how we view cannabis.
- If the association arises because using cannabis increases contact with illegal drug markets, this is a ground for the decriminalisation or legalisation of cannabis. If, however, the association arises because using cannabis encourages young people to experiment with other illicit drugs the results could be seen as supporting the prohibition of cannabis use.[14]
Legality
Cannabis use is controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Possession of any amount of cannabis is illegal. The maximum penalty for possession of cannabis is imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a $500 fine,[17] although section 7(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 contains a rebuttable presumption against imprisonment in respect of possession offences in respect of class C controlled drugs, which include cannabis. Cultivation of cannabis carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.[18] Selling cannabis, offering to sell or supplying cannabis to a person under the age of 18 years carries a maximum penalty of eight years' imprisonment.[19] Cannabis oil and hashish are defined as class B[20] drugs, and those convicted of manufacturing or supplying face a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.[19] Possession of a class-B controlled drug carries a maximum sentence of up to three months' imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $500.
The current tariff case for cultivation and dealing in cannabis, is R v Terewi [1999]. There are three bands of offence: band 1 for personal or non-commercial operations, band 2 for small-scale operations, and band 3 for large-scale operations. Band 1 has a starting point of a community sentence or a short-term prison sentence; band 2 has a starting point of between 2 and 4 years imprisonment, and band 3 has a starting point of 4 or more years imprisonment.[21]
Anyone caught in possession of at least 28 grams (1 ounce) of cannabis or 100 cannabis joints is presumed to be a supplier, unless the defendant can prove they are not.[22][23] In R v Hansen [2007], a majority of the Supreme Court held that this presumption was inconsistent with section 25(c) of the Bill of Rights Act because it violates the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. They also held that it was not a justified limitation under section 5 of that Act,[24] but the presumption remains effective regardless of this inconsistency. Cannabis is a class C drug, of which the penalty for dealing can result in a maximum prison sentence of eight years under the Act. There have been many public campaigns to decriminalise cannabis but so far none have succeeded. It is generally accepted that the usage rate is high and possession in small quantities may not often be prosecuted. In some cases first offences may result in a formal warning and confiscation by police.
Reform
The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party has stood candidates since the 1996 general election.[25] They won 1.66% of the party vote in that election, the largest proportion in its history.[26][27] The party has never won an electorate seat, without which they must receive at least 5% of the party vote to be represented in parliament.[25][27][28]
In 2006, Green Party MP Metiria Turei's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot.[29] The purpose of the bill was to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act so that cannabis could be used for medicinal purposes,[30] and to permit the cultivation and possession of a small amount of cannabis by registered medical users or a designated agent.[31] The bill received a conscience vote at its first reading in July 2009, and was defeated 84–34.[32] All MPs in the ruling National Party voted against the bill, as did the sole members from United Future and Jim Anderton's Progressive Party; while all members from the Green Party and ACT voted in favour of the bill (other than ACT MP Roger Douglas, who did not vote). The vote was split from MPs in the opposition Labour Party and the Māori Party.[32]
In March 2016, New Zealand's Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has said that he would support policy change regarding medical marijuana if it is proven to be effective in treating illnesses. This, along with the seasonal shortage of cannabis that has been intensified by multiple police raids on cannabis crops,[33] has put New Zealand's cannabis policies in the political spotlight locally. There have been talks of policy change among government officials, and multiple MPs do support policy change, but as of yet there have been no actual plans made to change New Zealand's laws around cannabis.[34] NORML NZ is currently the predominant organisation pushing for a change, but support from a large proportion of the public exists. A poll carried out by the research company UMR surveyed 1750 New Zealanders, and the results concluded that 71% of the people surveyed supported the idea of a medicinal marijuana regime in New Zealand.[35]
In December 2016, the Green Party said that if it formed a government in the 2017 election it will legalise cannabis. 'Under its proposal, people would be able to legally grow and possess marijuana for personal use'. The party would also 'urgently amend the law so sick people using medicinal marijuana were not penalised'.[36][37] In the formation of the Sixth Labour Government in 2017, the Greens leveraged a cannabis referendum, to be held before or alongside the 2020 general election.[5][6]
In December 2019, Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 were made having a commencement date of 1 April 2020. [38] This enabled the approval of prescription medicinal psychoactive cannabis products that previously were unavailable, and also the licensing of commercial cultivation of cannabis plants for medicinal use.[39] As of 23 July 2020, there are no products available under the scheme, but they are expected to become available in the next few months.[40][41]
Terminally ill defence
Since the passing of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2018, there is now a statuary defence for those requiring palliative care to possess and use illicit cannabis, and to possess a cannabis utensil.[2][42][43]
2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum
On 18 December 2018, the Government announced a nationwide, referendum on the legality of cannabis for personal use, set to be held as part of the 2020 general election.[3] Contrary to the pre-election commitment of the Government, the results of this referendum were not binding and the passage of the legislation would have required a majority vote in parliament.
The preminimary results of the referendum showed 53.1% of voters were against legalisation, with 46.1% in support. While this result did not include 'special' votes, which will be announced on November 6th,[44] Justice Minister Andrew Little said it was "highly unlikely" special votes would overturn the preliminary result.[45]
Enforcement
Data from the "Christchurch Health and Development Study" shows that by the age of 21, 5.1% of cannabis users from the cohort had been arrested for a cannabis related offence while 3.6% had been convicted.[15] Of those convicted, just under 10% received a custodial sentence with the remainder principally receiving fines. All cohort members with custodial sentences had been convicted of other crimes in addition to a cannabis related offence.[15]
Adult Diversion Scheme
First offenders charged with minor crimes and accepting full responsibility of their actions are considered for the New Zealand Police Adult Diversion Scheme. Given offenders agree to the conditions of diversion (which usually involves a written agreement tailored to change the offending behaviour), the offender may have the charge withdrawn.[46]
Notable cases
At least four people have died while policing cannabis in New Zealand. Detective Travis Hughes and Christopher Scott were killed when their Cessna 172 crashed in Central Otago while on cannabis reconnaissance.[47][48] Detective Tony Harrod died falling from a helicopter sling recovering plants in Taranaki.[49][50]
During the 2009 Napier shootings, Jan Molenaar fired on three police officers executing a cannabis search warrant, killing Senior Constable Len Snee. People who knew Molenaar described a long-standing, tense relationship between him and the police surrounding the legality of his cannabis involvement, saying, 'Molenaar believed his home was being watched and told friends he was determined to "go out in blaze of glory" if police came to arrest him',[51] and, 'police knew who Molenaar was and knew what he would do in a situation'.[52]
A notable case involving cannabis growing equipment was the prosecution of the owner and general manager of the Switched on Gardener stores following a series of arrests and raids in 2010.[53]
Offence category | Year ending 31 December | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
Import or export cannabis | 16 | 17 | 13 | 40 | 11 |
Deal or traffic cannabis | 2,031 | 2,094 | 3,015 | 1,499 | 1,602 |
Manufacture or cultivate cannabis | 2,425 | 2,046 | 2,058 | 1,553 | 1,442 |
Possess and/or use cannabis | 9,282 | 8,086 | 7,398 | 5,525 | 5,371 |
Other cannabis offences | 4,360 | 3,814 | 3,298 | 2,160 | 2,061 |
Total cannabis offences | 18,114 | 16,057 | 15,782 | 10,777 | 10,487 |
Total illicit drug offences | 22,929 | 20,742 | 20,682 | 15,553 | 16,029 |
% cannabis | 79.00 | 77.41 | 76.31 | 69.29 | 65.43 |
Bias
Māori when accounting for rates of use and offending history, are four times more likely than non-Māori to be convicted on cannabis charges. Similarly, enforcement is inequitable when considering gender, with men nine times more likely to be arrested compared with women.[15]
Medicinal use
Approved cannabis-based pharmaceuticals can be prescribed by a specialist doctor, but requires patients to meet strict criteria. As of April 2016, only Sativex is approved for use in New Zealand; it is not subsidised, so patients must pay the full retail cost.[55] Unapproved cannabis-based pharmaceuticals (e.g. Cesamet, Marinol) and non-pharmaceutical cannabis products can be approved on case-by-case basis by the Minister of Health. On 9 June 2015, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne approved the one-off use of Elixinol, a cannabidiol (CBD) product from the United States for a coma patient,[56] and on 4 April 2016, he approved the one-off use of Aceso Calm Spray, a non-pharmaceutical-grade CBD cannabis-based product for a patient with a severe case of Tourette syndrome.[57] These two cases are the only ones to this date to have been approved by the Health Minister.[58]
The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) supports having evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies of medical cannabis.[59] In 2010 the New Zealand Law Commission made a recommendation to allow for its medical use.[60] The NZMA, which made submissions on the issues paper, supports the stance put forward by the Law Commission.[13] GreenCross New Zealand was the first legally registered support group fighting for patient rights to access cannabis as medicine; however, this group is now defunct due to not filing financial statements. As of September 2017 the only explicitly medical advocacy group is Medical Cannabis Awareness New Zealand (MCANZ)[61] a registered charity dedicated to legal access for patients now, and is mildly successful with the non-pharmaceutical route, having introduced Tilray[62] for a small number of patients thereby allowing NZ stocks to be held.
In December 2017, it was announced that medicinal use will be legalised, in order to "ease suffering" for those with "terminal illnesses or chronic pain". Those qualified to receive prescriptions will be able to purchase medicinal cannabis from licensed pharmacies. Additionally, the terminally ill who are found to possess cannabis without a license will not be prosecuted or penalised. Minister of Health David Clark stated that "the compassionate measure legalises what some people are already doing, and will ensure no prosecutions while the new prescribing framework is set-up." The particulars were to be discussed in the future.[63][64]
In August 2018 Hikurangi Cannabis became the first New Zealand company to be issued a license to cultivate cannabis for medical purposes.[65]
A medicinal cannabis industry body, the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council[66] was established in September 2018.
The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act was passed on 11 December 2018 and received royal assent on 17 December.[67] It gives patients in palliative care the right to possess and use cannabis while also providing them with a defence to possess and use even illegal cannabis. A de facto limit of 28 grams or 100 joints applies due to the presumption of supply provision, which remains unchanged.[42][2] Furthermore, the new law also facilitates manufacturing of medicinal cannabis products for local and international markets, which is hoped to be a viable economic avenue for deprived Māori communities to turn the "thriving illegal industry into a thriving legal one."[2]
In December 2019, Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 were made having a commencement date of 1 April 2020.[68][69] They bring into effect the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme which certifies to a minimum quality standard[41] various psychoactive cannabis products for medicinal use within New Zealand.[40] As of 23 July 2020, approvals are expected within the next few months[40] .[70] A list of currently approved psychoactive medicinal products is available on the Ministry of Health website.[41]
See also
References
- ^ a b United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2006). World Drug Report 2006 (PDF). Vol. 2. United Nations Publication. ISBN 92-1-148215-1.
- ^ a b c d Roy, Eleanor Ainge (11 December 2018). "New Zealand passes laws to make medical marijuana widely available". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Binding referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use to be held at 2020 election". Radio New Zealand. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "Confidence and Supply Agreement between the New Zealand Labour Party and the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand" (PDF). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Kirk, Stacey (20 October 2017). "Greens promised referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis". Stuff. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ a b "New Zealand to hold cannabis referendum within three years". BBC. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ "Cannabis referendum: A simple yes or no question on reform at 2020 General Election". Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ "Referendum results: Cannabis legalisation narrowly loses vote". Stuff. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Chris Duvall (15 November 2014). Cannabis. Reaktion Books. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-78023-386-4.
- ^ http://www.enzs.auckland.ac.nz/docs/1927/1927A018.pdf
- ^ a b Greg Newbold (3 June 2016). Crime, Law and Justice in New Zealand. Routledge. pp. 153–. ISBN 978-1-317-27561-9.
- ^ a b Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy (2007). National Drug Policy 2007–2012 (PDF). Wellington: Ministry of Health. ISBN 978-0-478-30751-1. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
{{cite book}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Doctors backing medical use of cannabis". Sunday Star Times. 13 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Illicit drug use starts with cannabis". Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- ^ a b c d Fergusson, D.M; Swain-Campbell, N.R; Horwood, L.J (December 2002). "Arrests and convictions for cannabis related offences in a New Zealand birth cohort". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 70 (1): 53–63. doi:10.1016/s0376-8716(02)00336-8. ISSN 0376-8716.
- ^ Fergusson, David; Joseph M. Boden; L. John Horwood (April 2006). "Cannabis use and other illicit drug use: Testing the cannabis gateway hypothesis". Addiction. 101 (4): 556–569. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01322.x. PMID 16548935.
- ^ Section 7(2)(b) Misuse of Drugs Act 1975
- ^ "Possession and use of controlled drugs". Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 8 September 2011), Public Act. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 8 September 2011. Section 7(2). Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ a b Section 6(2)(b) Misuse of Drugs Act 1975
- ^ Second Schedule Part 1 Misuse of Drugs Act 1975
- ^ R v Terewi, 1999 NZCA 92 (25 May 1999).
- ^ "Dealing with controlled drugs". Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 8 September 2011), Public Act. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 8 September 2011. Section 6(6). Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Schedule 5: Amount, level, or quantity at and over which controlled drugs are presumed to be for supply". Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 8 September 2011), Public Act. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 8 September 2011. Part 1. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Chapter 10". NZLC IP16 Controlling and regulating drugs (PDF). Wellington, New Zealand: Law Commission. 11 February 2010. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-877316-89-0. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
{{cite book}}
: External link in
(help); Unknown parameter|chapterurl=
|chapterurl=
ignored (|chapter-url=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "MMP Elections". Christchurch, New Zealand: Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Summary of overall results" (PDF). 1996 General Election – Official Results and Statistics. Wellington, New Zealand: Electoral Commission. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ a b "New Zealand Election Results". Wellington, New Zealand: Electoral Commission. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Sainte-Laguë allocation formula". Elections New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ^ "Explanatory note". Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill 58-1 (2006), Members Bill. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Purpose". Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill 58-1 (2006), Members Bill. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill – First Reading". Hansard. 655. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand House of Representatives: 4850. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Police recover 9000 cannabis plants in Nelson-Marlborough aerial operation". Stuff.co.nz. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ "Medicinal marijuana: If it's effective Peter Dunne will back it | 1 NEWS NOW". TVNZ. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ "Most NZers support medical marijuana - poll | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ Legal cannabis in NZ? Green Party offers green light to pot smokers.
Stuff (NZ).
Last updated 9 December 2016.
Retrieved 13 December 2016. - ^ Drug Law Reform Policy Archived 20 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, official website.
Retrieved 13 December 2016. - ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019". Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Medicinal Cannabis Agency Industry Information". Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Medicinal Cannabis Info for Consumers". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Minimum Quality Standard". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ a b Bennett, Lucy (11 December 2018). "Medicinal cannabis bill passes third reading". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 54)". www.legislation.govt.nz. House of Representatives. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019 – via New Zealand Legislation, Parliamentary Counsel Office.
- ^ "Referendum results: Cannabis legalisation narrowly loses vote". Stuff. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "'Highly unlikely' referendum results will be overturned by special votes, says Andrew Little". TVNZ. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "About the Adult Diversion Scheme". New Zealand Police. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Plane crash inquest winds up". TVNZ. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
- ^ "Investigation 05-002". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Fall kills policeman". Otago Daily Times. 18 December 1990. p. 2.
- ^ "Investigation 90-012T". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Cop killer's last words". The New Zealand Herald. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- ^ "Napier siege inquest: Latest updates". The New Zealand Herald. 1 April 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- ^ "Switched on Gardener turns off to turning on". The New Zealand Herald. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ "Annual Apprehensions for the latest Calendar Years (ANZSOC) -- NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ "New Zealand Consumer Medical Information – Sativex, Oral spray" (PDF). New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Jo Moir (9 June 2015). "Medicinal cannabis application approved for teenager in coma | Stuff.co.nz". I.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ Moir, Jo (4 April 2016). "Peter Dunne approves cannabis product for Tourette's Syndrome patient". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ Moir, Jo (5 April 2016). "Labour Party open to decriminalising medicinal cannabis". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ "Cannabis". New Zealand Medical Association. 9 February 2001. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ Controlling and regulating drugs (PDF). Issues paper 16. New Zealand Law Commission. 2010. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-877316-89-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Medical Cannabis Awareness New Zealand: MCANZ". Medical Cannabis Awareness New Zealand. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ "First Kiwi approved for new cheaper medicinal cannabis treatment". Stuff. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Medicinal cannabis legislation introduced to 'ease suffering'". NZ Herald. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Government rules terminally ill people allowed to smoke cannabis". Newshub. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Medicinal cannabis cultivation licence issued to East Coast business for first time". NewsHub. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council". NZMCC. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019". Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Medicinal Cannabis Agency Regulation". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ "Medsafe Medical Cannabis Scheme Update". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
Further reading
- Abel, Sally (June 1998). "Cannabis in New Zealand: Policy and Prospects". Social Policy Journal of New Zealand (10).
- Bone, Alistair (7 June 2003). "Dope test". Listener. pp. 18–22.
External links
- Government pages
- National Drug Policy (Ministry of Health)
- Ministry of Social Development – Cannabis in New Zealand: Policy and Prospects
- New Zealand Police – cannabis page
- Cannabis organisations in New Zealand
- National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc.
- New Zealand Drug Foundation
- Articles
- Kiwi entrepreneurs call for legalisation of cannabis, following worldwide success. - Stuff (New Zealand version). Published 7 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.