The founder of the country's first cannabis club is arguing in a pre-trial hearing at the Auckland District Court that cannabis laws are a breach of his rights.
Dakta Green, formerly Ken Morgan, wants a stay of proceedings on charges of possession of cannabis and possession for supply.
Mr Green is claiming that cannabis laws discriminate against users of the drug, and that the severity of the associated penalties breach the Bill of Rights Act.
Dr Geoff Noller, from Otago University, who has studied New Zealand's cannabis culture, told the court that many users feel they are being unfairly criminalised for what they say is a moral and rational choice to smoke the drug.
