Options for Cannabis Policy in New Zealand

Adrian Field and Sally Casswell

Debate on cannabis policy has tended to focus on retaining the current system of prohibition, versus "decriminalisation." Internationally, a clear trend has emerged of trying alternatives to simple prohibition. This paper contributes to the debate by outlining a number of options for cannabis policy, and discussing the likely advantages and disadvantages of these given the New Zealand situation. These options are canvassed within the context of research on drug use in New Zealand, drawing particularly on the results of recent New Zealand surveys.

Key to assessing policy options are their likely impact on prevalence of use of the drug, on either the black market or the development of a legal industry, on financial costs (including costs of civil penalties administration, education and enforcement of prohibition or regulations, and need for increased treatment services) and social costs (including criminal convictions). A political consideration is the extent to which any policy change complies with New Zealand's international obligations under United Nations Conventions.