Maori stay strongly for cannabis reform

Maori support for legalising the personal use of cannabis and controlling its use is consistently high.

In March 2019 a special survey of Maori only for the THREE television programme The Hui, found 75% for reform, 14% against and 11% unsure.

Now a sub-sample of 232 adult Maori, within a general population survey covering nearly 1,600 adults nationwide, finds 72% of Maori say they will vote for legalising the personal use of cannabis in a referendum being held alongside the September 19 general election. 27% are opposed.

The "don't know" respond option was removed between surveys to present respondents with the choice they will face if they vote on the issue in September.

This compares with a result for the overall adult population (including Maori) of 56% for, 43% against with 2% declining to answer. (Numbers are rounded).

In the June 2020 survey 84% of Maori say prohibition has failed to limit cannabis access and use.

So why are Maori so much more supportive of reform?

It's not because of rates of cannabis use. In an October 2018 1000-respondent Horizon Research survey, 12% of Maori adult respondents self-reported using cannabis every day, a similar result to the overall result for all ethnicities.

Paul Manning, the chief executive of Helius Therapeutics, the medicinal cannabis company which commissioned the latest June 2020 survey (and five earlier ones tracking referendum voting intentions), says it could be for two reasons:

“Maori understand the opportunities cannabis legalisation will bring – creating jobs and boosting regional economies, while taking a health-based approach to reduce harm. Also, Maori have been disproportionately affected by criminalisation through prohibition.” 

Similar points were raised in a lively discussion, when The Hui combed over the results with forensic psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder, Tuari Potiki chair of NZ Drug Foundation, AUT senior law lecturer Khylee Quince and social justice campaigner Dr Hirini Kaa. 

Cannabis prohibition

Two questions were also asked in June 2020 about whether prohibition is working to limit the availability and use of cannabis, and whether controls over growing and selling cannabis would deliver a better outcome for society.

On the question of whether prohibition of cannabis was limiting access and use, only 15% of Maori said it was. A staggering 84% said cannabis is available and used by many New Zealanders, and 1% gave no response.

On whether respondents believed controls over growing and selling cannabis for personal use would deliver a better outcome for society, 66% of Maori said yes, 31% supported continuing with no controls, and 3% gave no response.

Commissioned by Helius Therapeutics and carried out independently by Horizon Research, the latest results, from 1,593 adults representing the New Zealand adult population at the 2018 census, nationwide includes a sample of 232 adult Maori. The survey was conducted between 10 and 14 June 2020. At a 95% confidence level, the maximum margin of error on the Maori sample is ±6.6%.

Key results:

Question: At this time, do you think you will vote for or against legalising cannabis for personal use in New Zealand?

Maori respondents:

• 72% - for
• 27% - against
• 1% - no response

Question: Currently, producing cannabis for personal or non-prescription use is prohibited in New Zealand, with the intention of limiting its availability and use. Do you think prohibition of cannabis is working in New Zealand society?

Maori respondents:

• 15% - Yes, cannabis is hard to access and rarely used in New Zealand society.
• 84% - No, cannabis is available and used by many New Zealanders.
• 1% - No response given.

Question: Currently, growing cannabis for personal use is prohibited in New Zealand. Which one of the following options do you think will have a better outcome for New Zealand society?

Maori respondents:

• 31% - Continuing with no controls over growing and selling for personal use.
• 66% - Controls over growing and selling for personal use.
• 3% - No response given.

For further information please contact Grant McInman, Manager, Horizon Research, email gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz, telephone 021 076 24040.