Green MP Chloe Swarbrick says with 500,000 people using the drug, NZ has one of the highest cannabis consumption rate per capita in the world, meaning large numbers of people have the drug in their system when at work.
She acknowledges the health and safety concerns of employers having impaired people in the workplace, but says by making cannabis legal, users will have a more responsible approach and attitude towards the drug which will make workplaces safer than currently.
Swarbrick says removing the product from the black market will also enable education about the dangers of use and control over its strength and accessibility.
“What we have got with the situation in NZ and the level of cannabis consumption, is the worst of all ills,” she said.
“People still do it, people hide it and on top of that there is no potency or quality control.”
A non-binding referendum being held alongside next month’s general election will ask voters if cannabis should be legalised.
Swarbrick says if the referendum is supported and if the next Government decides to accept the result, it will take at least a year to become law.
During that period, it will be considered by a Select Committee and have input from submissions, including from employers and WorkSafe.
The Auckland-based MP says if it becomes legal, businesses need strong drug and alcohol policies and to engage with staff.
She concedes there is no way of measuring impairment from the drug, such as breath testing provided for alcohol.
With cannabis being legalised around many western countries, she says the opportunity now exists to invest in such technology and allow an open and frank conversation about the risk of consuming, something that could not happen when it was illegal.
Swarbrick rejects the perception that legislation is counter to the Smokefree 2025 policy.
“I love this argument. It highlights the benefit of legalisation,” she said. “Right now, there are no controls.”
As with tobacco, legalisation will allow controls over the supply chain, packaging, purchasing, access and product toxicity.
Based on overseas experience, Swarbrick expects use among young people to fall, to remain stable among the middle aged but increase among older people.
She predicts the portion of uses consuming the drug at harmful levels, will also fall if it is made legal, making workplaces safer.
