Government could make $150 million annually from taxing cannabisDrug prohibition in New Zealand disproportionately affects males, Maori and youth. The documents reveal Government spends about $400 million annually enforcing prohibition whereas decriminalisation would generate about $150m in revenue from taxing cannabis. According to Treasury about 6 per cent of cannabis users are caught by police but 95 per cent of those who are continue to use cannabis. Decriminalising cannabis would generate money for the Government and ease pressure on New Zealand's courts according to an informal Treasury report. English said the documents were not "official Treasury opinion" and were "not intended to be distributed more widely than as speaking notes for the forum".

Source: Stuff July 19, 2016 02:30 UTC