NZ cannabis campaign on a knife edge

August 3, 2020
AggregatedNews
New Zealand
0 Comments

And many want the country’s most popular politician, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to join the push to get the measure over the line.

Kiwis will decide whether to legalise personal marijuana use as one of two public votes – the other being euthanasia – alongside the election on September 19.

Opinion polls for the “reeferendum” show a tight contest.

Proponents have spruiked online polls showing the ‘Yes’ vote ahead, though the last six polls taken by broadcaster-backed public pollsters have ‘No’ in front.

NZ Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell says “every vote is going to count”.

“It’s tracking very tight. That’s what keeps me awake at night,” he tells AAP.

The ‘No’ campaign – badged ‘Say Nope to Dope’ – is resolute in opposition, arguing the dangers of more widespread use through legalisation.

Mr Bell believes the more voters hear about the proposed model, the more likely they are to support it.

The final design sets the minimum age to use the drug at 20, ensures potency limits and bans both consumption and advertising in public places. [Read more @ The Canberra Times]