ALCP calls for a Regulated Taxable Market

ALCP welcome the fact that other parties are moving towards its policy but it challenges them to make it a bottom line.

Leader Julian Crawford said other partys' cannabis policies did not go far enough towards a regulated taxable market.

"Now is the time to reform the laws and regulate the cannabis market," he said.

"Decriminalising personal use would not be enough to undermine the black-market trade."

Mr Crawford said ALCP policy was aimed at diverting the existing $1.5 billion industry into the legitimate economy, where it could be regulated and taxed.

"The other parties do not fully address the economic issues of the cannabis market or how to generate public revenue from the trade," he said.

"Decriminalising home-growing could be a step in the right direction but many New Zealanders would still buy cannabis illegally under that policy."

Medical cannabis trials should begin immediately using the ministerial discretion under existing laws, Mr Crawford said.

ALCP will release its full intersectoral policy manifesto on September 11th.

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