Human Rights lawyer leads Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

One of New Zealands longest serving political party leader has been reelected for the 16th time at the ALCP’s AGM and annual conference.

Wellington Barrister and Human Rights lawyer Michael Appleby has lead the party in six general elections and six by-elections since 1996.

“We are dedicated to ending cannabis prohibition, which will bring an age of economic prosperity and freedom for all New Zealanders,” Mr Appleby said.

“We have supporters from across the political spectrum who have suffered under this law. All New Zealanders are paying the price for maintaining prohibition, with their tax dollars being wasted building new prisons, meanwhile our assets are being sold off overseas.”

Mr Appleby welcomed offers from the Greens, Mana, Libertarianz and former ACT party members to join with their parties but said the ALCP is already committed to standing in the next election.

“We applaud Mana’s new policy on cannabis written by Sue Bradford, we hope she can do more with the policy than the Greens have done with theirs.”

“If the Greens would just implement their cannabis policy they would not have to print money,” he said. “They could just grow it.”

“Legalising cannabis alone will save the economy and reduce poverty. Apart from the savings from police costs (over $100 million each year), legalising cannabis will produce billions in tax, meaning we will not have to sell assets, borrow or print money to build schools and hospitals.”

ALCP also welcome the endorsement of the Ratana Church and look forward to attending their celebrations on January 24th 2013.

ENDS

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