Thursday, 24 November, 2011 - 21:52

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP) is the only party with a plan to save the New Zealand economy.

With tough economic times looming in Europe and the US, New Zealand's economy will not be immune to the debt crisis.

ALCP leader and Wellington Barrister Michael Appleby said his party had a solution that would significantly boost the economy and government revenue: Legalising Cannabis, Medical Marijuana and Hemp.

"Other parties promote austerity measures, zero budgets and massive deficits, they cut spending in one area to boost it in another," he said.

"ALCP policy will grow the total pool of money available to be spent on public services."

Mr Appleby said Hemp was called a Billion Dollar crop in the 1920s when it was first outlawed but now it was called a Trillion Dollar Crop.

"With over 20,000 different uses, Hemp could help solve major environmental and economic problems in New Zealand," he said.

"Thousands of new jobs could be created growing, processing and retailing cannabis and hemp products."

"Medical Marijuana is a huge industry internationally. There is potential for cutting edge cannabinoid-pharmaceuticals to be produced in New Zealand."

"The recreational cannabis trade in British Colombia, a weed friendly province of Canada, is estimated to be worth $7 billion annually."

He said the Government spent around $500 million of taxpayer's money each year on enforcement of cannabis prohibition.

"A combination of savings made by ending prohibition and tax revenue from the Cannabis trade, could add billions to government spending on health-care, education and other vital services."

Mr Appleby said the overall value of the cannabis, medical marijuana and hemp trade would be worth billions annually.

"It would mean every New Zealander who wanted a job would have one," he said.

"With 5% of the Party Vote ALCP could hold the balance of power."

Mr Appleby is calling on all decent New Zealanders to give their party vote to the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.