Cannabis Laws Breach Treaty - ALCP

Cannabis prohibition is neo-colonial oppression resulting in the disproportionate imprisonment of Maori, the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party says.

Maori are three times more likely to be arrested and four times more likely to be convicted for cannabis than non-Maori.

ALCP Maori Affairs spokeswoman Emma-Jane Mihaere Kingi said the racist implementation of cannabis laws was in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

"Maori have grown medical cannabis ever since 1885, when it was introduced at Jerusalem by Mother Mary Aubert and integrated with traditional Maori medicine."

"To target Maori for arrest because of their cannabis use is interfering with their customary rights."

Ms Kingi said many plots of Maori owned land would be ideal for growing legal hemp or medical cannabis.

Many pacific islands including the Marianas and Norfolk Islands were also interested in legalising and regulating the cannabis trade.

ENDS

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