law
27 Sep 2019

Cannabis in NZ Australian MP advises an open mind

From Checkpoint, 5:43 pm on 27 September 2019

The Australian politician behind a new law legalising cannabis is advising New Zealanders to be pragmatic in next years referendum and remember there's a huge range of options when it comes to allowing marijuana.

Australian Capital Territory - that includes Canberra and a few surrounding towns - has voted to legalise small amounts of cannabis for personal use - the new law does not kick in until January next year.

But already the Aussie Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton's come out swinging saying it unconscionable and dangerous; suggesting central government might try and weed out the new law.

The Labor MP for Yerrabi Michael Pettersson was behind the private members bill to legalise.

He talks to Lisa Owen.