It would be easy for me to say this is why I am voting yes. It is a powerful story, and one we hear all too often with cancer impacting on average 23,000 kiwis annually, making it Aotearoa’s number one killer. Those kinds of statistics alone should be enough to get the vote over the line as it undeniably helps thousands of New Zealanders going through cancer treatments, not to mention those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, Autism, Chrones, Endometriosis and so on. But in truth, the reason for my yes vote runs deeper and it is not quite as straightforward as the holier than thou opening statement this letter might suggest. 

 

My own journey with cannabis started when I was 13 years old at high school. It was super easy to purchase a tinny at school. Literally at school. I would put money on this still being the case today. The code word at the time was CD. I would ask to purchase a CD off one of the older kids in the know. At lunchtime, I’d receive a txt message with the locker number to make payment. Once payment was collected, another locker number was sent through, indicating the location of the weed. Pick up was made and the transaction was complete. There may not be a curriculum on how to hussle in the real world, but kids figure it out and they keep it hidden from the prying eyes of authority. It was that easy. No ID’s, no questions on intended use, no need to even leave school grounds. I could have my can of coke and a can cone before classes began again. And I did.

 

At that time in my life I wanted to escape. Alcohol was too hard to get hold of, it required someone with an ID who was willing to actually go through the hassle of buying booze for a 13 year old. Randomly, teens over the age of 18 had more of a conscience and were harder to persuade than the 16 year old dealers would sell to anyone with a crisp $20 note. I don’t know if it was the weed, the trauma of losing a parent or a combination of the two, but I can honestly say I have very limited memory of my high school years. The human brain is not supposed to be exposed to the levels of cannabis I was hotboxing into it from the age of 13 through till my early 20’s. That being said, I’m not dead. I’m probably a bit dumber than I could have been, but I learned a lot about myself, and in all honesty, it made me face my demons as only a true green out can do. 

 

From my many years of use, abuse, abstinence and finally, healthy integration, I can firmly say I do not condone the use of cannabis for children or anyone under the age of 18. I do not believe cannabis is a miracle drug that cures all illness and makes life perfect. It is however, a powerful drug to be used responsibly and with respect. Cannabis has hugely positive effects for many users and it should be made available to those who feel it is right for them. Today, I use cannabis very differently. It is helpful in relieving pain and inflammation caused by Endometriosis, a lifelong disease with no known cure.

 

My point is, cannabis, like all drugs, has the potential to be helpful when used correctly, and harmful when used irresponsibly. Children should not have access to it and while it remains illegal, they do. Furthermore, people who use cannabis should not be labeled criminals. The reason anyone looks to self medicate is a health issue, never a criminal one. 

 

All in all, it is my opinion that cannabis needs to be legalised so it requires an ID to purchase, regulated so products being sold are safe and useful, and taxed so  more funding is available for the healthcare system.

 

Please look into the debate, understand both sides, and cast your vote in October. We have the opportunity to stand on the right side of history.  That’s why I am voting YES.

 

Georgia.