An analysis by the Police Association of the cannabis referendum and the possible legislation that would result from
legalisation has raised significant concerns around continued gang presence and difficulties in enforcement.
In the article in the June edition of Police News, concerns raised by the Police Association include:Difficult for voters to understand the legislationLimiting potency will simply empower the gangsMixed messaging around enforcementPolice will be open to accusations of bias or inconsistencyHome grows will be difficult to police – and difficult to tell the difference between home grow and dealerThe proposed controls will result in gangs remaining significant players
With the help of senior lawyers, the SayNopeToDope campaign has also analysed the proposed legislation. Our 4-page summary, Analysis – Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, highlights significant concerns around:home grows, and the large quantities that can be grownconsuming drugs at home in front of children and young peoplehigh quantities of purchase and possessionage restrictions which will be difficult to enforce, as already evidenced by tobacco & alcoholhome production of edibles and dabbing e.g. butane hash oil (already an issue in NZ and overseas)restrictions on potency which will be difficult to enforce and will empower the black marketdifficulties for councils to ban pot shops in their local areasincreased regulation which will mean increased demand for policing (rather than a reduction as argued)education and prevention is mentioned, but only in relation to usesignificant concerns around workplace impairmentcontradicts our SmokeFree 2025 policy
The analysis is also available online https://saynopetodope.org.nz/2020/05/01/control/
Coalition member and ex-Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini says “The biggest irony of the proposed legislation is
that cannabis is actually a driver of crime and road trauma. Why would we open the floodgates on a substance that is
harmful to young people, workplace safety, and our already overloaded mental health services.”