Editorial: Police resources are stretched. Is it time to rethink cannabis laws?

Police last week raided a massive commercial cannabis operation at two locations in Ōrākei. Photo / Dean Purcell

EDITORIAL

Last week, police raided two large cannabis-growing operations in Auckland’s affluent Ōrākei suburb, raising new questions about law enforcement priorities. With violent crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, are busting cannabis operations the best use of police efforts? After all, decriminalising recreational use could eliminate a significant revenue stream for drug rings, right?

It’s not that simple. The discussion around cannabis reform is complex, involving a range of perspectives and interests. The debate cycles through public health and safety, social justice, economic considerations, medicinal use, and international considerations.

But it’s hard to ignore mounting challenges facing a police workforce beleaguered by recruitment challenges, the lure of Australia for better conditions and money, and an ageing workforce.

Justice Ministry data released last month shows that serious crimes have escalated this year, with rises in murder, aggravated robbery, and violent assaults. In just the previous week, crime headlines included the senseless fatal stabbing of Bernice Marychurch on an Auckland bus, the ongoing trial for the murder of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao, the guilty verdict in Auckland over the manslaughter of Aiden Sagala, whose employer gave him meth-laced beer, and a harrowing domestic violence court case against a Northland woman.

In the same week, police raids of Mongrel Mob premises in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland, over alleged drug dealing resulted in seizures and arrests, underlining the priority of police to focus on protecting communities from violence.

Herald readers reacted swiftly to the news of the Ōrākei cannabis busts, voicing frustration on Facebook. Commenters criticised the focus on cannabis operations, with one summing up the general sentiment: “Why are we still wasting police time on cannabis when more serious crimes are happening daily?”

The 2020 referendum on cannabis reform split the country. Nearly half of voters backed the measure, suggesting a significant portion of Kiwis are open to decriminalisation. Then-Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern said she voted for reform, stating that people shouldn’t end up in jail over cannabis use. Based on the referendum results, a poll was launched in the Far North seeking feedback. A whopping 93.2% of votes (2186) were in favour of relaxing cannabis laws.

The National Party has consistently leaned conservative on cannabis reform, having opposed the 2020 referendum and prioritising public health and safety. They favour keeping strict regulations around cannabis use, arguing that health risks outweigh potential benefits. The coalition echoes this caution, aiming for a balance that considers health concerns alongside any possible gains from regulation.

It may be time for New Zealand to again actively review the decriminalising or regulating cannabis, allowing police to channel their efforts into tackling serious crime. Reallocating resources from cannabis enforcement could mean greater safety and smarter justice.

The Ōrākei raids remind us that the current approach to cannabis is increasingly out of step with the realities on the ground. As long as police continue prioritising cannabis, we’re left wondering - are we truly making the best use of our police resources?