Experts are warning that the legalisation of cannabis could increase the levels of contamination in other crops and impact our trade relationships, writes Zac Fleming.
Warnings have been raised with the government that New Zealand’s trade relationships could be compromised by food contaminated with cannabis if the plant is legalised.
On at least four occasions between December last year and April this year, Ministry for Primary Industries staff warned ministers and high-ranking trade officials of a potential “significant trade risk” arising from the legalisation of cannabis.
The four briefings warn of “a number of issues in relation to food safety, biosecurity and trade”, including the possibility of “risks to animal products” through the “spread of cannabis to arable land”.
By holding a referendum at the 2020 election, New Zealand will become the first country in the world to directly let voters choose whether to legalise cannabis.
But food contamination is never mentioned in the government’s 29-page publicly available May cabinet paper.
Read more at thespinoff.co.nz