Removing the black market

It's somewhat alarming to read the thoughts of anti-cannabis campaigners as they don't take into consideration any of the restrictions of the proposed referendum.

As it stands, cannabis is a free-for-all. It's grown and sold on the black market to whomever buys it. There are no ID checks or quality controls.

Additionally, it is completely GST free. Under the new bill, it will be sold to persons over 20 and the potency and quality will be under strict government regulation with a taxation rate of 25 per cent. People that sell to minors will serve time or pay a massive fine.

Furthermore, once cannabis is legal it will be a boon for our economy. Infrastructure will need to be in place for horticultural facilities to be built which creates jobs for our local industries and jobs in the horticulture and retail sectors. There is potential to absorb many job losses from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Economists (NZIER) expect up to $490 million into the NZ economy.

Prohibitionists fail to recognise that decades after alcohol prohibition, whiskey gangs are no longer part of society. The same thing will happen long term with cannabis.

To sum up, voting yes in the referendum will boost our economy, provide jobs for New Zealanders, create a legal and verifiable marketplace and will take the gangs earning tax free money, provide relief for sufferers of various ailments and provide support and education to young people under 21.

A new approach is needed. Vote Yes this September.

D Carey, Papamoa [abridged]

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