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ALCP Otaki Candidate Fred MacDonald, ALCP President Paul McMullan, ALCP Leader Michael Appleby and NORML President Julian Crawford. Image source: http://alcp.org.nz/vote2014/node/24
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party leader Michael Appleby has complained to the Human Rights Commission about Māori Television’s refusal to include him in its candidates’ debate for the Ikaroa Rawhiti by-election.
The Pakeha lawyer says the channel only wanted the Māori candidates from the major parties to appear.
He says he was urged by party members and Māori friends to stand in the by-election, because Māori youth are disproportionately targeted by the police for smoking cannabis.
Mr Appleby says a cannabis-related conviction can ruin the lives of young people, affecting their ability to get jobs and travel overseas.
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