News

NDRI cannabis policy expert Professor Simon Lenton is part of an international consortium that recently received funding from the New Zealand Health Research Council for the ‘Translating, modelling and evaluating cannabis policy reform’ project.

Professor Lenton will collaborate with country-based experts from the United States, Canada, Netherlands and Uruguay along with leading New Zealand academics, Māori health agencies, drug advocacy groups, and affected communities.

Associate Professor Chris Wilkins, from the SHORE & Whariki Research Centre at Massey University, says the study will model outcomes from different overseas cannabis reforms using a health-focused benefit-cost analysis and translate them to the health, cultural, social and institutional context of New Zealand, particularly for those disproportionately affected, including Māori, Pasifika and youth. It will be the first time such research has been undertaken.