Auckland, Jan 20 NZPA - A cannabis campaigner is today arguing to a district court judge that cannabis laws are a breach of the Bill of Rights Act.

Dakta Green is arguing at Auckland District Court for a stay of proceedings on charges of possession of cannabis and possession for supply.

Green, who is representing himself, is arguing that the Misuse of Drugs Act breaches his fundamental rights and is therefore a breach of the Bill of Rights Act.

At a one-day hearing before Judge Ann Kiernan, Green is calling two witnesses and will give evidence himself.

Geoff Noller, who completed a PhD at Otago University on the culture of cannabis use, said most of the 80 users he talked to did not feel they were criminals.

Dr Noller said many felt treatment of them by authorities was discriminatory and unfair.

"One question I asked them was whether they thought they were carrying out criminal behaviour. They were adamant they were not criminal ... and they felt they were being unfairly criminalised."

Much of the questioning of Dr Noller concerned the history of cannabis laws, the development of cannabis culture and patterns of use.

He said it was debatable whether the laws were having any impact on improving health and reducing harm when New Zealand had the highest rate of arrests for cannabis use in the world per head of population.

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