Kiwibank is taking action to shut down 'green fairy' Rose Renton's bank account, just a year after she was awarded a Kiwibank Local Hero medal.
The Nelson woman supplies cannabis products on the black market to patients who are ill but can't afford legal medicinal cannabis.
Renton became a prominent campaigner for medicinal cannabis reform after she fought for her son Alex to be treated with CBD oil. Last year, she told Newshub National Correspondent Patrick Gower she helps almost 1000 people.
Last October, Kiwibank gave her a 'Local Hero Medal' for her work, but the bank has just informed Renton her account will be closed this month.
In a letter shared by Renton to Facebook, Kiwibank says it is "no longer prepared to offer you banking services".
"We reserve the right under section 7 of our general terms and conditions to close your account without providing a reason by giving you at least 14 days' notice," the letter reads.
"Your account will be closed on the 14/09/20."
Kiwibank's terms and conditions allow it to close accounts if "we reasonably believe that you have acted, or are acting unlawfully".
In 2019, Renton was discharged without conviction for cultivating cannabis for medicinal purposes after pleading guilty. Judge David Ruth said the nature of Renton's offending was 'altruistic' and was motivated by wanting to help others.
Three other charges including possession, processing and possession for supply were previously discharged without conviction in November 2018.
Renton said on Facebook that Kiwibank "know exactly what I do".
"Yes there are deposits from patients to pay for their CBD medicine I make," she replied to a comment on her post.
"So the bank can close my account due to the illegality of the deposits....that much is obvious...I wonder if this will affect everyone helping those suffering?"
She also took issue with only receiving the letter on Monday.
"Kiwibank awarded me as 'Local Hero' in 2019 for supporting the sick and vulnerable in our community with cannabis medicines - yet they have sent a 14-day notice to close all my bank accounts due to the nature of my supporting the sick :( !!!" she posted.
"Bullying at bank level, government level - what sort of society are we accepting?
"Please share so others are aware of their NZ owned bank and its policies... disappointing Kiwibank."
In a statement to Newshub, Kiwibank said: "Due to privacy laws we will not comment on individuals.
"Kiwibank is proud to sponsor the New Zealander of the Year Awards which are judged independently and recognise people for their contribution to their community."
