Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. i Flight of the Kiwi New Zealanders experiences of Cannabis in Amsterdam while on their Overseas Experience (OE) A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Health Psychology At Massey University Manawatu New Zealand. Gabrielle Margaret Colley 2019 ii Abstract Cannabis consumption and travelling share a number of similarities, such as evoking pleasure or anxiety and, like in the title used to reflect this thesis, represent the experience of “flight” for the “Kiwi” (New Zealander). This thesis therefore explores both the experiences of cannabis consumption, a flight of the mind and travelling a flight of the body. The aim was to understand how New Zealanders experience cannabis in Amsterdam while they are undertaking a working holiday based in the United Kingdom (UK), known within Aotearoa New Zealand as an Overseas Experience (OE). Given Aotearoa New Zealand’s current political debates on cannabis control and the upcoming 2020 public referendum on legalising the substance, this thesis provides an opportunity to explore how New Zealanders experience cannabis within a liberal country that tolerates the sale of soft drugs in licensed premises, while growing up in a country that enforces cannabis prohibition. Statistics on cannabis use illustrate a steady rise in global consumption, however majority of countries still implement prohibition as a method of control, therefore choosing to study New Zealanders use of cannabis in a country without any legal ramification or stigmatisation for personal consumption allowed for greater transparency and in depth exploration. Nine, one-on-one, in-depth interviews were undertaken with New Zealanders, aged between 18-30 who were living and working in London. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis (IPA). Four subordinate themes were identified within the data, along with ten sub-themes. The results illustrate the sensible and structured nature cannabis was consumed and enacted abroad. Cannabis was not the sole motivator for the trip to Amsterdam however consuming cannabis to reach a pleasurable level of intoxication was intentionally pursued by all participants whilst in Amsterdam. In order to reach the desired state participants often drew from previous experiences or shared knowledge on the effects of cannabis and would implement certain techniques and practices to ensure they did not reach an undesired level of cannabis intoxication. Future research, with a diverse and larger sample would provide additional insights and could possibly assist in the potential policy change and implementation within the country. iii Acknowledgment I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr Denise Blake, for her patience and guidance. I feel incredibly lucky to have been supported by someone so knowledgeable and encouraging. Denise gave me the right direction and feedback to keep me engaged and motivated, especially at times when I wanted to give up. Even though I was living in London during this study, I feel so privileged that Denise made time to Skype and keep in regular contact throughout the whole thesis process, despite the difficulty with the time zone differences. I would like to thank my participants for sharing and being so open about their experiences. I found their openness and genuine kindness towards helping a fellow New Zealander comforting. This study would have not been possible without their contribution. Lastly I would like thank my family and friends who supported and encouraged me throughout my thesis, especially during the final weeks before submission. iv Table of Contents Flight of the Kiwi ................................................................................................................. i Abstract ............................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgment .............................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iv List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter I: Defining Travel .................................................................................................. 4 Part 1: Travel .................................................................................................................. 4 Categories of Travel ........................................................................................................... 4 Youth Travel and the working holiday phenomenon ........................................................ 4 How ‘Kiwis take flight’ – The big OE .................................................................................. 7 Chapter II: Cannabis and the road to drug prohibition ...................................................... 11 Part 1: Cannabis ........................................................................................................... 11 Pharmacological meaning and effects of cannabis ......................................................... 11 Cannabis Prevalence ........................................................................................................ 14 High Times – Depictions and Theories of Cannabis Use .................................................. 14 Pleasure and Drug Use .................................................................................................... 17 Part 2: The Road to Prohibition .................................................................................... 18 A Brief Overview of Global Drug Policies and Cannabis .................................................. 19 Prohibition in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand ...................................................... 21 Cannabis Prohibition ....................................................................................................... 22 Chapter III: Taking Flight .................................................................................................. 25 Drug Tourism and Cannabis use ...................................................................................... 25 Amsterdam ...................................................................................................................... 27 Studies Objectives and Justification ................................................................................. 28 Chapter IV: Theoretical Framework, Methodology and Methods ..................................... 30 Who am I? My reality, experiences and opinions .......................................................... 30 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................ 32 Methodology - Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ............................................ 34 IPA Limitations ............................................................................................................. 37 Study design ................................................................................................................. 39 Method ............................................................................................................................ 39 Ethical Consideration ....................................................................................................... 39 Participant Recruitment .................................................................................................. 41 Interview design .............................................................................................................. 43 Informed Consent and Study Information ....................................................................... 45 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 45 Transcription and Audio Data Management ................................................................... 45 Analytical Procedure ........................................................................................................ 46 Chapter V: Results and Discussion .................................................................................... 48 v 1. The Amsterdam Scene .............................................................................................. 49 Sub-theme: Knowledge and Interpretation of Context ................................................... 49 Sub-theme: Openness and Willingness to Experiment ................................................... 50 Sub-theme: Cannabis Café Greenhorns ........................................................................... 54 2. Relationships ............................................................................................................ 55 Sub-theme: Novices – Sourcing of Knowledge & Implementation .................................. 55 Sub-theme: Collective Users – The Shared Experienced ................................................