Cannaus
  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Cannaus

New Zealand would make $1 billion in tax annually if cannabis was legalised

5 years ago
in International
0
Cannabis plants on a New Zealand flag

Cannabis plants on a New Zealand flag

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Two new reports reveal the New Zealand government would make more than $1 billion in tax every year if the recreational use of cannabis was legalised. 

In just over a month, New Zealand citizens will be voting in a non-binding referendum on cannabis. Voters will be asked whether they support the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill, which legalises the use of recreational cannabis by adults on private property. 

In preparation, the Ministry of Justice commissioned two reports by Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL). The reports detail the true economic impact of the cannabis bill. 

If legalised, recreational cannabis would generate $1.1 billion in taxes every year. It would also employ 5,000 New Zealanders and boost the GDP by $440 million annually. 

The report also shows there would be a market for 419 cannabis stores. They predict that there would be:

  • 11 in Whangarei
  • 125 in Auckland 
  • 14 in Hamilton
  • 7 in Gisborne
  • 25 in Christchurch
  • 9 in Dunedin
  • 2 in Queenstown
  • 117 in regional New Zealand

These stores would be capable of producing $500,000 in profit each. To support these stores, New Zealand would need to produce over 120 tonnes of cannabis each year. This cannabis would initially be imported, but BERL believes local suppliers would establish infrastructure quickly. 

BERL predicts that three large growers will produce 50 tonnes of cannabis, with a further 60 tonnes produced by 20 smaller growers. Micro-cultivators (who produce less than 100kg each) will grow the remaining 10 tonnes. 

The reports also found that the nation currently consumed 74 tonnes of cannabis annually. If the recreational use of cannabis was legalised, this would increase to 103 tonnes in the short term. Roughly 140,000 people would try cannabis. 

Demand for illegal cannabis would drop 72%, to 20 tonnes a year. New Zealand’s justice system would also save $13.9 million annually. 

NZ Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell praised the reports as proof the cannabis bill would reduce the economic harm of cannabis, saying:

Under this model, we can move people into legal, taxpaying jobs, and bring much-needed income to provincial New Zealand.

The Ministry of Justice originally intended to release these reports after the referendum but caved to public pressure. 

Editors note: all figures are in NZ$. 

Tags: Legalisation
Share4Tweet3
Karie Cornell

Karie Cornell

Based in Victoria, Karie's passionate about pro-cannabis legislation in Australia. She joined Cannaus to share and bring awareness to the latest cannabis news across Australia.

Related Posts

Thailand flag over a cannabis flower
International

Thailand to become first Southeast Asian country to decriminalise cannabis

January 21, 2022
Cannabis plant under a light
International

New study finds whole-plant cannabis can reduce seizures in children by 86%

December 17, 2021
Malta flag
International

Malta votes to legalise cannabis possession in historic move

December 15, 2021
Worlds largest cannabis brownie
International

US company bakes “World’s Largest Cannabis Brownie” at 385kg

December 10, 2021
Jamaican flag
International

Jamaican government launches campaign to correct anti-cannabis stigma

December 9, 2021
Cannabis and person working on laptop
International

Cannabis capitalism: research shows cannabis legalisation increases employment

December 8, 2021
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Disclaimer
Cannaus does not recommend that anyone uses cannabis for medical or adult use purposes unless consulted by a medical professional. Cannabis is a drug and may have negative side effects. Please consult with your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.

  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address

Thanks, I’m not interested

wpDiscuz