As much as we all hate to admit it, law and policy is not built on the publics best interests a lot of the time. There I said it!! Before I get stoned for speaking out against this beautiful country of ours and labeled a traitor to my government, hear me out.
The word “Lobbyists” seem to be something harshly spoken in dark rooms. We know little about what they actually do, who pays the bills and what laws they have had a hand in manipulating. New Zealand is one of the very few countries in the western world where we don’t have laws governing these bodies who do seem to have the upper hand when it comes to the decisions made for our country. There is zero transparency about what actually goes on between these mysterious cloaked figures who whisper instructions in politician’s ears.
In an investigation published by Francine Tyler (masters in Journalism), in 2015, Tyler quoted Green Party MP Sue Kedgley saying “some lobby groups wield enough power to set the agenda of Parliament, particularly those representing big business.” Tyler went on to write “Kedgley says she was shocked when one lobbyist phoned her and said they had written a Private Member’s Bill and wanted her to introduce it to the ballot.” More shocking than this was the MP further going on to say that it seemed common occurrence for a lobby group to write bills for politicians to present as their own.
With laws being this easily set by corporations, what hope does that give the cannabis cause? Cannabis has long had a rise and fall history, seeming to have reached for legalisation many times only to peeter out and never make it across the line since prohibition was introduced. But with the threat it possess to many of the biggest industries in the world, is it any wonder? The loudest voice in this fight has been from big pharma, citing cannabis as a dangerous drug. However, with research restrictions on the plant lifting worldwide, the flood of positive health studies are pouring in and it seems harder and harder for Pharma to keep up the pretense. Even Alcohol lobbying against the herb has taken a hit. With the Worldwide Health Organisation placing cannabis as a less harmful drug than alcohol. Despite this blow to the public perception, the canna cause must fight the deep pockets of these corporations as well as their own image. Fighting against generations of lobby-built miss information and opinion, there is a desperate need for the cause to step up and play the game at the corporation’s level. but this means money, utilising lobbyists of their own and presenting a united front.
This, however, seems another massive block to legalisation… the massive disconnection within the ranks of this exploding community. With most seeming intent on being the one that heralds through cannabis reform (desperate for their names to go down in the history books), others are so overwhelmed with the share numbers seeking their help, they lack the energy to devote to the serious campaigning needed to take them to victory. And this is what the opposition is hoping for.
But there are glimmers of hope.
Federated Farmers national president William Rolleston told Newshub he was not opposed to the idea of legalisation saying “Farmers welcome any opportunity to add another string to their bow and would look at that option if it was legal and profitable to do so.” Federated Farmers have been long standing influencers in policy made by Labour and with red in the hot seat, we would hope to see movement. If, of course, FF put their money where their mouths are when it comes to reform. Even Sir Richard Branson urged our country to seriously look at the economic and environmental implications of the pot argument.
Harvest Festival, to be held in Dunedin in 2019, is hoping that they have a shot at both uniting some of the division in the cause and raise funds to seriously lobby. Joe Nicolson, event organisor is trying to speak to the heart of this issue. “As far as I am concerned, I don’t care who gets it legal, we just wanna see it legal” he said. The festival has spread its arms wide to the burgeoning cannabis community, encouraging it to make a presence from out of that shadow of the law.
“We know its gonna take playing this game on their level but for that to happen, we all actually need to join together in some way and show a standing of force. We believe we can do this through music and hopefully get some profits out to seriously lobby government” Nicolson has spent the last 6 months getting together the festival. With support from NZ music (such as Tiki Tane) starting to sign onto the ticket, it’s a genius idea and worked in Canada, can we repeat the same success here?
With NZ falling further and further behind in this booming new industry, its hoped so and soon. But is it too little too late? The referendum for Cannabis is also due for 2019, so has the canna movement missed the boat to make a serious impact on the law decision? And where are all the big investors who are willing to put the money in? Are the big corporations that influential?
Lobbying in our country poses some pretty hard questions. Perhaps the biggest one of all being, why are we not allowed a clear transparency with the inner workings of the relationship between them and parliament? Cannabis seems to continue to be the shining light on the continuing coverups, corruption and dark dealings between business and government, including in our little neck of the woods. It challenges our pride in our country. New Zealanders have for a long time, liked to think that we are above the twisted dealings we see rife in governments like America, Korea, South Africa….. but are we really????
V Hoy: Working as a creative director, documentary maker, writer and artist, V lends her voice to everything from politics, lifestyle, culture, world affairs. She has lead a, at times interesting life, giving her a unique and fresh perspective. She also is is a public figure speaking out on subjects such as domestic violence, gender equality, addiction, mental health and is a strong advocate for cannabis reform.