A legal cannabis market for recreational use, could generate 675-million dollars a year for the Government to spend on reducing cannabis-related harm

Two reports by Business and Economic Research Ltd - or BERL - also say that legalisation would see an initial spike in cannabis use, accompanied by more cannabis-related hospitalisations.

But this would recede in the longer term and with excise tax revenue put towards effective health interventions, cannabis users would have improved health outcomes.

Meanwhile, the justice system would save 11.4 million dollars a year.