Kiwi weed entrepreneurs say it’s high time for a change
KIWI entrepreneurs are riding high on a worldwide cannabis boom.
They are now using their success overseas to call for legalisation in New Zealand, pointing to economic and health opportunities.
Among their number are Dan Crothers and Lucas Young, founding members of the world’s largest cannabis website, herb.co, which has grown from a ‘‘crazie munchie’’ idea while ‘‘getting blazed’’ in a Taranaki flat in 2006, to become a giant worldwide cannabis information site that attracted around 90 million page views over the past year and is approaching eight million fans on Facebook.
Managing editor Melissa Reid said it was frustrating to watch the American cannabis boom, knowing that similar opportunities were being missed in New Zealand.
‘‘It’s opened up all sorts of things, from weed delivery services, like Uber for weed, to cannabis-related massage clinics and design agencies,’’ she said.
‘‘There are endless business opportunities.’’
The New Zealand Government has been reluctant to move in a similar direction, despite polls showing that a majority of Kiwis are in favour of legalising the drug for recreational or medical use.
In December, the Green Party announced a new Drug Law Reform Policy calling for an overhaul that would allow people to legally grow and possess cannabis for personal use.
Reid believes that would present significant business opportunities.
‘‘Medical cannabis could be grown in areas that have had their industries shut down, where there’s a lot of unemployment, and it would really help to regenerate communities,’’ she said.