Green MP Nandor Tanczos is to meet National Party MP Nick Smith in a public debate on the legal status of cannabis tomorrow night (Thursday) in Nelson.

The debate will be held at Nick Smith's electorate office, 544 Waimea Road, Nelson at 7.30pm.

Nick Smith has been fronting the National Party's opposition to cannabis law reform and Mr Tanczos said he was particularly looking forward to the opportunity to focus on the facts instead of politics.

Mr Tanczos said he was disappointed that the School Trustees Association President Owen Edgerton, who has also been opposing law reform, had not replied to his invitation to a debate on the issue.

"I am particularly interested to hear why Mr Smith thinks we should continue to criminalise more than half of the adult population," said Mr Tanczos.

"Under prohibition cannabis use and availability has steadily been rising, as has the numbers of young people kicked out of our schools for cannabis offences.

"I am very interested in hearing Mr Smith explain how more of the same helps anyone at all," he said.

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