Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jun 2013
Source: Wairarapa Times-Age (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2013 APN News & Media Ltd
Contact: http://www.times-age.co.nz/feedback/letters-to-the-editor/
Website: http://www.times-age.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3292
Author: Erin Kavanagh-Hall

UPSET AT BAN FROM MAORI TV

One of New Zealand's longest serving political leaders has been 
denied the chance to debate his position on Maori TV.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party leader Michael Appleby is making a 
bid for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat in the coming by-election - but was 
barred from participating in the candidates' debate on Native Affairs 
on June 3.

Producers of Maori TV's flagship current affairs programme told Mr 
Appleby, 66, that he could not take part in the debate as he did not 
have Maori credibility in the electorate.

"They refused to have me," says Mr Appleby, who has been leader of 
the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party since its inception in 1996.

"It's a disgrace. They only wanted the Maori candidates from the 
major parties to appear.

"They also said I couldn't participate because the Aotearoa Legalise 
Cannabis Party didn't stand in the last by-election. Well, they 
shouldn't be looking at the past. We should be looking to the future.

"We're a united New Zealand, and we shouldn't still be fighting each 
other. It really saddens me."

Mr Appleby took the case to the Human Rights Commission on Thursday, 
and says the commission was sympathetic.

He says during the meeting, commission representatives mentioned the 
court injuction sought by Jim Anderton and Peter Dunne against TV3 in 
2005, after the minor party leaders were barred from the Leaders Debate.

"I am considering a judicial review," he says.

"But I don't want to do that to Maori TV."

The Times-Age contacted Maori TV for comment, but a representative 
could not be reached before deadline.

Despite being non-Maori, Mr Appleby, a human rights lawyer from 
Wellington, says he was urged by his party members and his Maori 
friends to stand for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat.

"It's not a race issue - legalising cannabis is an issue that affects 
all New Zealanders," he says.

"Everyone's scared of being arrested for smoking cannabis, or for 
having their house turned upside down by the cops.

"If young people get a cannabis-related conviction, it ruins their 
lives. They can't travel overseas, they can't get a job, or they 
could get sacked from their jobs."

Mr Appleby said legalising cannabis in New Zealand is an issue that 
affects Maori in particular.

"Maori youth are targeted a lot more by the police for smoking 
cannabis," he says.

"Right now, there are over 2000 people in our prisons on cannabis 
charges, most of whom are Maori. If cannabis were legal for people 
aged 18 and over, our prison population would decrease by a third.

"I have defended many people in the Masterton District Court - and 
the majority of those people were Maori on cannabis charges."

Mr Appleby says legalising cannabis would result in massive cost 
savings for Wairarapa - in the form of cheaper fuel (using hempseed 
oil), cheaper clothing made from hemp, jobs in crop harvesting and 
people being able to grow their own marijuana.

"There's a lot of poverty in the Wairarapa," says Mr Appleby, who 
uses medicinal marijuana for various health issues.

"Legalising cannabis will put money in everyone's pocket.

"Especially with people being able to grow their own, and not having 
to spend $30 to $40 a tinny every week."

Since its establishment, Mr Appleby and the Aoteaora Legalise 
Cannabis Party has pushed for the successful legalisation of 
industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana in the form of Satavix.

It is still campaigning for the legalisation of marijuana for 
recreational use for those aged 18 and over.

Mr Appleby is now embarking on a 10-day tour of the Ikaroa-Rawhiti 
electorate area, and will be visiting Masterton.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom