Photo: 123rf.com
The creator of an online "movement", a self-described "non-registered brand" in its infancy, wants the Fijian government to decriminalise the use and cultivation of marijuana in the country.
Cannabis Fiji - described by its founder Anare Tuidraki as having "absolutely no affiliation… to any political group" - has gathered more than 700 signatures in an online petition it started eight months ago.
The petitions stated goal is: "The decriminalisation and regulation of cannabis in Fiji, ensuring the industry prioritises the rights and benefits of Fijian citizens, indigenous landowners, and rural communities. The petition also calls for the release of individuals imprisoned for non-violent cannabis-related offences, aligning with global justice reforms."
Tuidraki told RNZ Pacific his group, which is viewed locally as a fringe movement, is demanding government to give them "freedom to be able to use medical, industrial and recreational cannabis without being vilified".
He said the group - which has plans to register as a non-governmental organisation and form a political party to advocate for cannabis reform - also wants "cannabis prisoners" released for the use of non-violent cannabis or the cultivation of non-violent cannabis.
Cannabis Fiji - described by its founder Anare Tuidraki as having "absolutely no affiliation… to any political group". Photo: Facebook / Cannabis Fiji
The possession, cultivation and use of marijuana are illegal in Fiji and those caught with it face severe penalties under Fiji's illicit drugs laws, including life imprisonment.
The Fijian Cabinet, however, formally announced approval to establish a medicinal cannabis industry - strictly for cultivation and export - following nationwide consultations in early February 2024.
The previous FijiFirst government amended the Illicit Drugs Control Act (2004) to remove industrial hemp from the list of illicit drugs. The Act legalised the importation, possession, cultivation, and supply of industrial hemp, defined as cannabis plants with a THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentration of less than 1 percent.
Tuidraki said he started the Cannabis Fiji movement "the very minute the announcement came that [the government was] about to legalise hemp".
The Fiji Police have a zero-tolerance policy against possession, use and cultivation of marijuana, and make frequent arrests in targeted operations to eradicate large scale marijuana cultivation.
RNZ Pacific asked Tuidraki about how he reconciled what his Cannabis Fiji movement is advocating for when the country's drug laws make it illegal.
"Well, first things first, the legislation would have to fall in line with my ask," he said.
"Once the legislation is done, then you'd have a framework, then the implementation of what's in the framework to ensure that everything runs smoothly."
"So right now, it's just an idea I'm putting out there and we're pushing for. For me to actually give you the details, that's a big ask of you."
The Fiji Police have a zero-tolerance policy against possession, use and cultivation of marijuana. Photo: wollertz 201/ 123rf
Fijian authorities have declared a "war on drugs", as law enforcement agencies scale efforts in an attempt to disrupt and dismantle illicit drug networks. Fiji is already gripped with a hard drugs crisis, and the problems it is creating for children and young people is major concern for the nation.
Asked if he believed Cannabis Fiji's goals were ideal for Fiji as a society, he replied: "Look at the data."
"If you do good research… you go look, every country which has legalised cannabis, all the crime rate has gone down, all the hard drug use has gone down.
"There are going to be naysayers and they going to say cannabis is bad and this and that, but that is just propaganda. They've been they've been indoctrinated."
The question of whether legalising cannabis reduces crime rates offers mixed results and is still highly debated, according to academic studies.
In its 2022 Annual Report, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) highlighted that while the main objective stated by governments for legalising cannabis has been to reduce criminal activities and increase public health and safety, this objective had not been achieved.
"Evidence suggests that cannabis legalization has not been successful in dissuading young people from using cannabis, and illicit markets persist," INCB's president at the time said.
The INCB data also showed illegal cannabis supply continued at high levels in all legalising jurisdictions, reaching 40 percent in Canada, nearly 50 percent in Uruguay and even 75 percent in California.
But Tuidraki said the Cannabis Fiji movement is trying to "hit back on the indoctrination" and provide people the truth about cannabis.
"If we legalise cannabis, everything they're talking about, actually goes down. The stats say that everything they're worried about actually goes down."
Tuidraki said with more than 700 signatures for their petition, "the next phase is [to] keep pushing" for more signatures as well as establish an NGO for cannabis in the country.
"It will happen, and we will get a political party elected [that stands for is] 100 percent focused on the reform of cannabis."
Medicial cannabis industry legislation yet to be tabled in parliament
The Fijian government approved a policy framework to establish a medicinal cannabis industry for export only to attract foreign investment, it announced after a post-Cabinet meeting in February 2024. It also revealed it had signed a deal with New Zealand-based company Aether Pacific Pharmaceuticals, trading as Medical Kiwi.
The necessary legislation on the medical cannabis industry is yet to be tabled in parliament.
Tuidraki said the government was being hypocritical for punishing Fijian farmers who cultivate and those who need cannabis for medicinal purposes.
"On the other hand, they're welcoming foreign investors to come and start an industry so there's a big hypocrisy happening there."
Meanwhile, entering a petition into Fiji's parliament is a multi-step process and Cannabis Fiji would require the backing of a sitting MP for it to be presented in parliament.
