Should we follow the US and decriminalise cannabis possession?

US President Joe Biden has announced federal pardons for those convicted of cannabis possession, wiping clean a criminal record that may have made it difficult to get a job or accommodation after serving out their sentence. 

Like the United States, Aotearoa’s drug convictions are tilted heavily against one ethnic group. In their case African-Americans, in our case Māori are much more likely to be prosecuted for drug-related offenses. This has been called a clear example of the systemic racism in our legal system. 

Should New Zealand also be considering pardons and wider drug reform? Would this send the right message regarding drug use? And do our politicians have an appetite for change after the failure of 2020’s marijuana legalisation referendum? 

Today, New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm joins Damien to hash out the pros and cons of our approach to drugs. 

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Host: Damien Venuto
Editor/Producer: Shaun D Wilson 
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

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