Political direction
The party treats cannabis use mainly as a health and regulatory issue, and emphasises criminal justice reform, medicinal access and industrial hemp.
No seats in Parliament2026 policies still being released
Legalise Cannabis Party
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
Also known as: The Cannabis Party
Focused on cannabis law reform, arguing for legalisation, harm reduction, clearing related convictions, wider medicinal access and a regulated industry.
The party in 60 seconds
Published policy claims
Animals and drug law reformParty position
What this means
Repeal cannabis prohibition so that adults can legally possess, grow and use cannabis.
Animals and drug law reformParty position
What this means
Create an R18 cannabis market regulated in a similar way to alcohol and tobacco, but with commercial promotion banned.
Evidence and checks
Law, justice and rightsParty position
What this means
Clear cannabis-related convictions, and treat personal drug use mainly as a health issue.
HealthParty position
What this means
Widen legal access to medicinal cannabis, and protect compliant users from unfair drug testing.
Evidence and checks
Economy and taxParty position
What this means
Develop industrial hemp production for fibre, construction, nutrition, medicine and biofuel.
Evidence and checks
Te Tiriti and democracyParty position
What this means
Supports the Treaty of Waitangi principles of partnership, tolerance and cooperation, and argues that legal regulation of cannabis supports fairer law and Māori self-determination.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The full policy was mostly written in 2005 and is not a new 2026 manifesto. It is recorded here only as a long-standing party position.
Verified key people
Maki Herbert
Co-leader
Michael Appleby
Co-leader
What happened, in date order
Party record
Confirmed it will contest the 2026 general election
The party published a campaign update, continuing to push for legalisation, medicinal access and reform of criminal records.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Election
Contested the 2023 general election
The party contested the 2023 general election but did not reach the threshold to enter Parliament.