New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MODA) became law on 10th October 1975.
That is 50 years ago this year, yet it still forms the basis of NZ’s drug policies and it prescribes harsh penalties for having anything to do with the drugs it has deemed illegal.
Although amended on numerous occasions over the 50 years, the changes have almost always only been patches to add to or to reinforce its underlying prohibitionist aims. Two recent amendments were positive however. In 2020 it was amended to stipulate that prosecutions for drug possession or use should only proceed “if this is in the public interest”. Another very useful amendment allowed for the testing of street drugs for content, as a harm reduction measure, and the legal protection of those involved in such testing.
Blake-Palmer
https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/na19651965n45141.pdf
https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/moda19751975n116211.pdf
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0116/latest/dlm436101.html
Law Commission 2011
https://www.lawcom.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Reports/NZLC-R122.pdf
Dangerous Drugs Act
https://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/dda192718gv1927n18252/
UNDER CONSTRUCTION