Mika Haka says “Legalise cannabis or help gang lords kill more New Zealanders”

“Cannabis in New Zealand is controlled by gangs - legalise it now so a government can control it, tax it and use that money to do cool things, like water fountains”, says Mika Haka.

“The government is aiding criminal gangs by allowing unregulated cannabis markets to flourish” Speaking on the eve of the Medicinal Cannabis Rally at Aotea Square, Mika Haka, The Opportunities Party's candidate for Auckland Central, is standing up for youth - the most commonly harassed and convicted group of New Zealanders.

“The governments continued imprisonment of non-violent cannabis users rather then focusing on the criminals supplying it must stop.

“Criminal charges ruin the dreams and employment prospects of so many youth”, says Mika.

“Cannabis prohibition isn't working. The evidence is clear. We need to try something new. Cannabis consumption is a health issue, not a criminal one.

“Most of the harm is caused by the gangs who distribute the stuff.

“Letting gangs introduce young people to hard drugs like meth - and continue influencing them into criminal activities is madness.”

The Opportunities Party has a solution. The Real Deal Cannabis Reform policy.

We'll first legalise cannabis. We'll license suppliers and manufacturers to encourage small scale regional supply and regulate the potency of that supply. We'll use a tax (based on THC potency) to collect tax revenue.

We'll use revenue generated by the tax and profits of the distributors , Cannabis Licensing Trusts, (estimated at $150m) for education, treatment of addiction for all drugs and regulation to control cannabis demand.

And we'll set the legal age of purchase & use at 20 and ensure education campaigns discourage use until 25.

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