By Monterey Bud
Providing a glimpse into New Zealand’s pot-tential future, those Kiwis arrested for marijuana possession between 2009 and 2015 declined dramatically. The downward trend signals hope that officials in Wellington might soon end their absurd punishment for personal cannabis possession and cultivation.
Falling by roughly 60% over a six-year period, New Zealand’s Minister of Justice revealed that marijuana citations and arrests fell from 8,889 in 2009 to 3,554 in 2015. The decline in marijuana-related arrests was in large part thanks to a police diversion program, which now covers those busted for low-level marijuana offenses.
Statistically significant, these declining numbers provide valuable insight into the recent Drug Foundation survey, which found 64% of those polled support decriminalizing or legalizing small amounts of cannabis for personal use — a whopping 82% support its use for medicinal purposes.
Per the executive director for New Zealand’s Drug Foundation, Ross Bell:
“The public mood has changed. It’s not a matter of if we will change the law, it’s a matter of when and how we will change the law; what will it actually look like.”
Putting an exclamation point on that hopeful sentiment, passive protests are scheduled around the country for Saturday, September 17.
Seeking to reform cannabis law in NZ, “The “Stop The Arrests – National Day of Action” will occur outside various police stations on the afternoon of Saturday, September 17, according to online reports.
