July 08, 2020
Cannabis Bill tackles bias in system
A cannabis law reform advocacy group homes a new summary of the evidence by the Prime Minister’s chief science advisor will help people vote yes in September's referendum.
The evidence paper, which doesn't call on people to vote one way or the other, has been posted online.
Sandra Murray from Make It Legal says it includes compelling data about the disproportionate number of Māori arrested, convinced and jailed for cannabis offences under the current law.
She says Māori already support the change because they know the impact prohibition has on their communities.
"The law is being applied more harshly to Māori than to non-Māori and they can see the way the new Bill has been structured will stop that happening, it will stop that bias occurring. It's probably the people who are least affected by the current law, who are Pākehā, who can't see because they are going 'what's the problem, I don't get arrested," Ms Murray says.
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