The Spinoff has thankfully done the down and dirty journalism that no one else is willing to do, reporting on the deeply concerning marijuana shortage happening in New Zealand right now.
Last week, a combined police and air force operation resulted in the elimination of approximately 9000 cannabis plants in the Tasman district. While many across NZ deemed it a simple waste of money, the latest sweep has left a lasting effect – apparently weed is now damn near impossible to get your hands on.
Spinoff reports that an ounce of weed usually costs $300-350, and due to supply and demand, prices have shot up past $400 in some cases. $20 “tinnies” are apparently also noticeably coming back short of their one gram minimum weight. One Reddit user even claimed to have bought a gram and a half for a $100, which is five times the average price.
The drought comes during a rising swell of support for changing laws around marijuana, including political figures calling for its legalisation, medical experts requesting the opportunity to research it for medicinal use, and sports star Martin Crowe and broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes revealing they used the drug for pain relief before their deaths.
While it looks pretty dire, especially in the wake of such a massive crackdown, NZ blazers will just have to hope that in time they'll be able to burn one for a reasonable price again.