A cannabis campaigner is today arguing to a district court
judge that cannabis laws are a breach of the Bill of Rights
Act.
Dakta Green is arguing at Auckland District Court for a stay
of proceedings on charges of possession of cannabis and
possession for supply.
Green, who is representing himself, is arguing that the
Misuse of Drugs Act breaches his fundamental rights and is
therefore a breach of the Bill of Rights Act.
At a one-day hearing before Judge Ann Kiernan, Green is
calling two witnesses and will give evidence himself.
Geoff Noller, who completed a PhD at Otago University on the
culture of cannabis use, said most of the 80 users he talked
to did not feel they were criminals.
Dr Noller said many felt treatment of them by authorities was
discriminatory and unfair.
"One question I asked them was whether they thought they were
carrying out criminal behaviour. They were adamant they were
not criminal ... and they felt they were being unfairly
criminalised."
Much of the questioning of Dr Noller concerned the history of
cannabis laws, the development of cannabis culture and
patterns of use.
He said it was debatable whether the laws were having any
impact on improving health and reducing harm when New Zealand
had the highest rate of arrests for cannabis use in the world
per head of population.
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