"How is it really going to help people other than stopping criminalisation? How is it going to help our people live healthy, confident lives?"

This questions answers itself. Criminalisation over drugs has a massive negative impact on the mental health of individuals (disproportionately affecting non-pakeha and youth), and consequently their communities and our society as a whole. Legalizing and regulating intoxicants and treating drug abuse as a health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue, will be a huge step forward.

"I also wonder, are you people even addressing issues of racism and drug criminalisation in NZ or are you all just getting stoned and talking to pakeha hippies?"

We have certainly been getting stoned, both as a form of civil disobedience at the 4:20 protests, and for fun! But the majority of the people who came aboard Maryjane during the Te Ika a Maui leg of the tour were young Maori. Most of the others were either older Maori or young pakeha. Only a tiny fraction would fit your sneering stereotype of 'pakeha hippies'.

The industrial hemp reforms and medical marijuana debate have resulted in huge steps forward for reform. The review of the Misuse of Drugs Act by the Law Commission this year provides another opportunity for people to tell their stories about the harm prohibition causes and agitate for change.

Dakta Strypes