New Zealand's drug laws will be debated by MPs from across the political divide at a hui in Kaikohe tomorrow.
Ross Bell, executive director of the NZ Drug Foundation, said there was growing acceptance that New Zealand needed to find better ways of tackling drug use in communities.
"For more than 40 years we've tried a criminal justice approach yet drug use is still at high levels. A shift to health-focused law is overdue.
"The current drug law is not working. This is the especially the case for Maori who are more likely to be stopped, searched, arrested and convicted for minor drug offences than other New Zealanders.
The way the drug law is unevenly applied hampers access to treatment, damages employment opportunities and disrupts families," Mr Bell said.