An Auckland University academic is warning legalising cannabis would not level the playing field for Maori

Dr Hirini Kaa spoke alongside Helen Clark and Wellington City Councillor Tamatha Paul at a cannabis referendum Korero in Wellington last night.

Kaa is voting no and says the drug is addictive and leads to poor life outcomes.

He says in Colorado, arrests rates have dropped but disproportionate arrest numbers of African Americans remain.

Both Paul and Clark are in favour of legalising saying Maori are facing discrimination already.