Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
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The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is a single-issue party dedicated to the legalisation of marijuana for medical, recreational, and industrial use. It has contested every election and by-election since it was founded in 1996. Although it has never been in parliament, a number of its candidates have gone on to become MPs or mayors after leaving the party, including mayor of Invercargill Tim Shadbolt and former Green Party MPs Metiria Turei and Nándor Tánczos.

Maki Herbert
Co-leader

Michael Appleby
Co-leader

Quick facts
- Year founded 1996
- Times in government 0
- Current MPs 0
- Electorate seats held0
- Donations received 2017-2019 $0.00
-
2020 polling average 0.1%
Party list
Parties get seats in parliament in proportion to how many party votes they get. Once all the electorate seats are added up, candidates are elected to list seats from each party in order of their ranking on the party lists.
Michael Appleby
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Wellington Central electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities
Stop the continuing criminalisation of my fellow citizens, my neighbours and my family. To be allowed to grow your own. To ensure that industrial hemp takes its proper place in NZ society. To ensure medicinal cannabis is affordable. Why I’m running
I want to change the laws on cannabis.About me
I have a masters degree in law. I have seen the devastation on society in NZ that the prohibition laws have caused over the 50 years I have been a lawyer. As a Human Rights Lawyer and legal academic since I had a teaching fellowship at Otago University at the age of 23, I have defended the rights of NZers to grow and smoke cannabis. I have changed the ACC laws by successfully suing them to make sure inflation is taken into account (Appleby v ACC).
Party list rank
1First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliamentBefore politics
Head of law faculty, Open PolytechPlace of residence
KelburnAge
732017 Result
Did not standConnect
Maki Herbert
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Te Tai Tokerau electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities
Northland needs new industry such the hemp industry and the cannabis economy creating huge job opportunities. Absolutely ALCP agrees safety is always a concern, we should have those policies in place. Yes ALCP agrees to opposing tax increases that affect the community to keep the cost of living down. Why I’m running
I am a woman who has had enough of the enormous damage inflicted on our society by cannabis prohibition. Prohibition is responsible for both the high levels of cannabis use by our young people and the harsh impact that cannabis convictions have on their career. Legalizing cannabis, regulating the industry and adding an age-limit, are the best ways to help solve these problems.About me
I am a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother, who lives and works in the Hokianga. I do community work in Kohukohu at The Harald building doing haircuts (qualified hairdresser, 20 years), named provider at the Rawene Hospital and Whangarie Hospital cancer unit of the cannabis oils. I'm the treasurer for my marae 'Morehu' for the last 2 and half years in a little place called Pawarenga. I attend the local market four Saturdays of the month with my oils. Educating, giving quality of life.
Party list rank
2First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliamentBefore politics
Hairdresser and provider cannabis oilPlace of residence
Mangamuka HokiangaAge
612017 Result
4th in Te Tai TokerauMichael Britnell
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Christchurch Central electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities
Promote cannabis business in Christchurch/Canterbury which will create jobs for the local economy. Improve access and short term parking in city centre and encourage smaller businesses to establish themselves. Save Linwood Village by opening up Worcester Street at Fitzgerald Ave to encourage business back. Why I’m running
This election will be the seventh time I have run for parliament. The reason is to help us get to this point where we are now having a referendum on cannabis law reform. Prohibition is a policy that has cost billions of dollars and damaged thousands of lives. The cost to the community and break down of community trust and spirit, far exceeds the billions spent over the years policing it. This is the opportunity to legalise by ticking yes on the Government Legalise and Control Bill, Referendum.About me
I believe legalising cannabis is the right thing to do, as a Kiwi core value is fairness. The law as it is has unfairly discriminated against a large sector of our community, in particular Māori arrested at four times the rate. A cannabis conviction can make finding a job difficult and make joining a gang attractive. Thousands of people in this position will be able to find employment in the new clean green environmentally safe cannabis industry worth billions. Adding new tax to post-Covid economy.
Party list rank
3First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliamentBefore politics
Landlord, sole-traderPlace of residence
Englefield2017 Result
Did not standConnect
Paula Lambert
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Christchurch East electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities

Party list rank
4First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliament2017 Result
5th in Christchurch EastConnect
Irinka Britnell
Not currently in parliamentList only candidate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities
Why I’m running
I am running so I can assist to educate the people of New Zealand about the failure of expensive cannabis prohibition and the benefits of voting yes in the government referendum where focus is on reducing harms. The NZ Institute of Economic Research estimates the excise rate could raise $490 million in tax and we would save about $200 million on cannabis interventions. This home grown industry, including medicinal marijuana and hemp, will provide jobs post-Covid while saving our environment.About me
I have always been interested in contributing to my community. I am a member of a variety of community groups who are interested in saving heritage and green spaces. I am also a member of a women's peace group and a member of the Christchurch Multicultural Council and the Macedonian Culture Group. My husband and I own and run a backpackers in Christchurch. We had a curio and antique shop which was destroyed by the Christchurch earthquakes.
Party list rank
5First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliamentBefore politics
Tourist accommodationPlace of residence
Englefield2017 Result
Did not standConnect
Anituhia McDonald
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Te Tai Tonga electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities
Advocate for positive poverty solutions. Advocate for a legalisation of cannabis and fair laws. Get whānau connected to their whakapapa and culture.
Why I’m running
I hope to inspire more positive solutions towards poverty. I will advocate for more personal development for the parents and caregivers in the home. I am optimistic about the outcomes we could see in our communities. With more re-training, education, financial and cultural awareness taught and supported by government and local iwi. I believe the legalization of cannabis will also be a positive impact on our economy and society. It will improve the livelihoods of whānau effected by prohibition. About me
Kia ora I was born and raised in Kawatiri Westport however, I now reside in Otautahi Christchurch. My whakapapa is Rangitane o Wairau, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Apa and Muaupoko I stand with the passion to see our people thrive. I come from a childhood of poverty, no identity, culture or education. I have a wealth of life experience and passion. I bring vision hope and a voice to our people and the whānau disconnected from their culture and identity. 
Party list rank
7First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliamentBefore politics
Branch managerPlace of residence
St AlbansAge
282017 Result
Did not standConnect
Romana Manning
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Tukituki electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities

Party list rank
8First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliament2017 Result
Did not standConnect
Jeff Lye
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Kelston electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities

Party list rank
9First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliament2017 Result
5th in KelstonJennifer de Jonge
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Whangārei electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities

Party list rank
10First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliament2017 Result
Did not standChristopher Coker
Not currently in parliamentCandidate for Bay of Plenty electorate
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis
My local priorities

Party list rank
11First entered Parliament
Not previously in parliament2017 Result
Did not stand
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