New Zealand: Cabinet discusses details of recreational cannabis referendum

The New Zealand coalition government is meeting today to finalize the details of the referendum on the legalization of recreational cannabis. He will choose between four question options, some of which involve transcribing the popular vote into law, while others leave the final decision in the hands of the government.

Options

For the moment, it is simply up to the cabinet to choose the form of the referendum. No laws or legislative texts have been prepared as yet. According to the opposition party, the National Party, New Zealanders must know what they are voting for. However, questions remain concerning the legal age, taxes, and prevention methods. These questions will not be resolved until the government has chosen the form of the referendum.

• The first proposal would be to ask a general question: «Are you in favor of legalizing the personal use of recreational cannabis?» but would not obligate Parliament in the event that the "yes" vote prevails.
• The second proposal involves first thinking about a text that lays out the basic principles of legalization and then asking the public: «Are you in favor of the legalization of recreational cannabis as described in this document?». A yes vote would result in a moral obligation for the government and parliament to act accordingly, but without establishing a binding obligation.
• The third option is similar to the second but would this time present voters with a real text of law.
• The fourth proposal would imply that parliamentarians prepare and vote on a law in advance, and that a "yes" vote in the referendum would trigger the immediate entry into force of this law.

According to Paula Benett, spokesperson for drug policy reform for the National Party, the cabinet's decision is delayed and is holding up the entire process. Indeed, if a law needs to be prepared before the referendum, as suggested by options 3 and 4, parliamentarians should get to work immediately. This is scheduled for the next legislative elections, in November 2020. However, the question of the initiative's future within a new parliamentary majority is precisely the problem.

Who wants what?

The coalition government between the Labour Party and New Zealand First, a nationalist party, had gained the confidence of the Green MPs in exchange for certain conditions, including the referendum in question on recreational cannabis. Today, the parties must agree on its form. However, according to Paula Benett, the NZF would rather be in favor of the first option, which simply consists of polling the population without commitment, whereas Labour does not want it. They would rather be in favor of option #3.

The National Party, of which Paula Benett is a part, is in favor of option #4: «We think that legislation has time and should go before the Chamber(...). This would allow the competent committees to go into the details of the proposals and for the public and everyone to reach that level of thoroughness.».

That being said, the National Party is not part of the cabinet. It's the opposition party. However, it is the party with the most seats in Parliament. It will therefore have more influence on legislation within parliamentary committees. Proposition No. 4 is also a guarantee for it not to have to deal with the consequences of the referendum if it comes to power in the next election.

As for the general public, a recent poll found that 60% of New Zealanders would vote in favor of legalizing personal recreational cannabis use, 24% are against it, and 16% remain undecided. Two-thirds of respondents supported the idea of a regulated market with licensed operators, and 39% believed that setting the legal age at 18 would be best.