The New Zealand Government has announced that it will hold a referendum on the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2020, during the same dates as the legislative elections.
The Green Party already raised this issue as a condition when negotiating its participation in Jacinda Ardern’s government after the 2017 elections.
Andrew Little, Minister of Justice, has stressed that the results of this referendum will be binding, although, as he commented at a press conference, there are still “issues to be resolved.”
The Labor Government had already begun to carry out the procedures to regulate medicinal cannabis, for which the country’s Parliament is preparing a Bill.
A large majority in favor
According to a poll published last year, 65% of New Zealanders are in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis. The New Zealand Drug Foundation group, in favor of the reform, has applauded the initiative, after criticizing that the current legislation “is outdated.” According to Ross Bell, head of the organization, “cannabis is the most common illegal drug in New Zealand, 50% of the country has tried it.”
As he commented, “We continue to address the problem from the point of view of repression. We continue to criminalize people and not provide help to those who have a dependence on cannabis.
The Prime Minister, for her part, has publicly supported cannabis for recreational purposes, but has not wanted to give her personal opinion on recreational marijuana. Even so, he did comment that he does not believe that consumers should be imprisoned.
It seems that New Zealand is getting closer to legalizing marijuana. With a society in favor and a willing government, it is possible to create new legislation that protects both consumers and growers.
The case of New Zealand may help Europe consider making the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes political.
