New Zealand: High Cost to Criminalised Marijuana
An economic research think tank is calling for marijuana to be legalised saying it could save the country over $300 million a year.
Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) principal economist Peter Wilson said outlawing the drug had not stopped 10 percent of New Zealanders using it.
He said although policies reducing its harm were needed, Treasury had calculated changing the legal status of marijuana would mean the government rather than criminals would benefit.
The NZIER research quoted a Treasury note in an Official Information Act request in July that stated the government could generate $150 million annually by taxing cannabis.
Finance Minister Bill English said at the time the document was not an official Treasury recommendation or advice.
Institute of Economic Research principal economist Peter Wilson. Photo: Supplied
Mr Wilson said the cost of present policies amounted...
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