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Justice Minister doesn't want foreign groups weighing in on cannabis referendum

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 1 Jul 2020, 6:34PM
(Photo / File)
(Photo / File)

Justice Minister doesn't want foreign groups weighing in on cannabis referendum

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 1 Jul 2020, 6:34PM

The Justice Minister isn't happy about an international organisation getting involved in our cannabis referendum here

The group called Smart Approaches to Marijuana, or SAM, is fighting legal cannabis in the US, and has set up a branch here.

Bob McCroskrie from Family First said they've been drawing on SAM's experience.. but haven't taken any money.

“We haven’t received one cent from SAM. We won’t received one cent from SAM."

He says that they want their information and insight as SAM are fighting against legislation in many US states.

Justice Minister Andrew Little told Heather du Plessis-Allan that we don’t want the influence of big American corporations.

“This is a debate for New Zealanders so they can make a decision about what they want to do about the future of cannabis.”

He says that it is similar to how the NRA attempted to infiltrate the debate on gun legislation.

Little says that we don't need or want the American style influence of over the campaign. 

"What I think looks dodgy is, even if it is a New Zealand organisation, calling on a big American organisation to provide their messaging and resourcing."

Little says all the information New Zealanders need is available at referendums.govt.nz. 

 

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