Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.