‘Tough controls needed’ to curb cash-in on legal cannabis

Moves to legalise cannabis products in New Zealand must include regulatory controls to “keep industry at bay” and limit retail exploitation of young people, a Massey University academic has said.

Sally Casswell, who has published widely on alcohol and drug policy, suggests that global alcohol companies are “seeing major business opportunities” in the decriminalisation of cannabis. Several have bought into “giant medicinal cannabis producers” and are developing market-ready products, she says.

In an editorial published by the NZ Herald, Casswell says the Dutch brewing company Heineken is already marketing a cannabis-infused beer called Hi-Fi Hops in California.