Hopes a change to cannabis law could improve Maori access to medicinal products

Just Speak advocate and Wellington Councillor Tamatha Paul says it may address fundamental issues for Maori.

She says through legalisation, they can try to make access to cannabis more equitable - particularly for people who need it medicinally.

But Auckland University's Dr Hirini Kaa says it's muddying the water to conflate the referendum on recreational use ... with medicinal cannabis.

He says they are different issues and need to be addressed separately.

New Zealanders vote in the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill referendum this week.

A Yes vote would mean the Bill must still go through Parliament before it might enter law.