GreenCross facilitator and medical cannabis user Billy McKee has been arrested and is facing four charges of supplying cannabis, and one charge of cultivation, despite a recent recommendation from the Law Commission that Police should not prosecute medical users.
UPDATE! NZ Police are now trying to “close down” the Greencross website, claiming Billy McKee “used the website to facilitate committing offences against the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.”
Press release: Green Party
The Green Party is advocating for the Government to adopt the Law Commission’s recommendation that police shouldn’t prosecute people for using cannabis medicinally, after a North Island amputee was arrested on the weekend.
Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said several countries, including the United States and Canada, allowed cannabis to be used for therapeutic purposes but there was still a blanket ban in New Zealand.
“This isn’t a recreational drug issue; it’s about people not being hounded by police for using one of the world’s oldest medicines in the same way they do in other developed countries,” said Mrs Turei.
The Law Commission’s Controlling and Regulating Drugs Report recommended: “While trials are being conducted, we think that it would be appropriate for the police to adopt a policy of not prosecuting in cases where they are satisfied that cannabis use is directed towards pain relief or managing the symptoms of chronic or debilitating illness.”
Mrs Turei said police targeting New Zealanders for medicinal use of cannabis was a waste of resources.
“The continual harassment by police of ill people is a disgrace. It is inhumane to subject amputees and cancer victims to this irrational law.
“We need to act swiftly on the Law Commission’s recommendations for drug law reform so that ill New Zealanders are treated with dignity and respect.”
GreenCross coordinator Billy McKee, an amputee who uses a wheelchair, was arrested during the weekend just days after he had done a radio interview commenting on the home detention sentence handed to fellow medicinal cannabis user Peter Davy.
Cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes in Israel, Finland, Canada and 15 states in the United States. In Argentina, consumption for medical purposes is accepted but not legislated.
Cannabis was also decriminalised in many countries and states for personal use, including in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
For more information:
GreenCross
Facebook event: Free Billy Mckee – Auckland High Court Support Protest
Download the Law Commission final report on the Misuse of Drugs Act
Law Commission: Talk Drugs website
Law Commission issues paper