Opinion polls now show solid majorities supporting cannabis law reform, both for medicinal and adult use. Voters can make their views known at local body elections by asking questions and voting for candidates who support changing the current approach. So who should you support?
Auckland Mayoral candidate Adam Holland is not associated with NORML or any known cannabis law reform group. Holland was the only mayoral candidate to not submit a photo and statement for the official guide sent to all voters, making him the butt of jokes in some media coverage.
“We had not heard of the group Auckland Legalise Cannabis that Holland claims to have founded,” said NORML president Chris Fowlie. “He’s a joke candidate – but it’s a bad joke.”
“For many opponents of reform , Holland’s clownish antics at a recent debate, which made headlines around the world, would have confirmed their worst stereotypes about cannabis law reformers, just as we were fending off accusations of being loser stoners getting in the way.”
NORML points to several other candidates our supporters could consider voting for:
Northland:
Mike Finlayson – Northland Regional Council (Te Huki Ward). Former NORML president. NRC website.
Auckland:
Chris Fowlie – Waitakere Licensing Trust (Waitakere Ward). The NORML president is running on a platform of “Regulate Cannabis Like Alcohol”, calling for the trusts to open cannabis social clubs for medicinal or research purposes, which can be licensed under the current law. www.chrisfowlie.com/wlt-2016
Penny Hulse – Waitakere Ward, Auckland Council. Deputy Mayor calls to reconsider legalising cannabis.
Olivia Montgomery – Howick, Auckland Council. 20-year-old would-be politician pushes to legalise marijuana (NZ Herald).
Max Abbott – Waitemata District Health Board. Public forum to unlock debate on cannabis(AUT). Cannabis debate hasn’t moved forward (NZ Herald).
Phil Goff – Mayor. Kind of. Goff supported decriminalisation but also wrote asset forfeiture legislation.
Whakatane:
Nandor Tanczos – Whakatane District Council. Former NORML News Editor, Green MP. Website. Facebook. Givealittle.
Hamilton:
Max Coyle – West Ward, Hamilton City Council. Former NORML board member. Facebook.
Dunedin:
Abe Gray – Mayor of Dunedin, and Dunedin City Council. Former NORML Vice President, Chair of Otago NORML. Mayoral profile (ODT). Cannabis campaigner and transgender activist stand for mayor (Stuff). Facebook.
Any others?
If you know of any other candidates who support sensible cannabis law reform not already listed here, please let us know. If you don’t know how your candidates stand on this issue, please ask them!