Vote Yes

We all want a happier, healthier, more equal New Zealand. For the Drug Foundation, that means treating cannabis use as a health and social issue.

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The referendum on legalising cannabis will be held at the General Election on 19 September.

We’ll be voting on the Government’s Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, which puts regulation in place to minimise the social and health harms of cannabis. The Bill has a special focus on protecting young New Zealanders.

This is the best chance New Zealand has to put public health controls around how we manage cannabis in our country.

The Drug Foundation is backing a ‘Yes’ vote - find out why here. Looking for detail? See our FAQs.

Why we're saying yes

Free up Police to focus on serious crime

Nearly half of all adult New Zealanders have tried cannabis. It’s clear our current law doesn’t stop people using it.

That makes our law a waste of valuable Police resources. Legalisation will free up Police to focus on serious crime.

Put some controls around cannabis

Right now, people who use cannabis get it from the black market, outside of any government control.

Legalisation is not about creating a new cannabis market – it’s about putting controls around the existing one, from seed to sale.

Taxes into health and education programmes

We will all benefit from as much as $490M in new taxes from legalising and controlling cannabis.

The government has promised to put this money into health and education programmes that will benefit all New Zealanders.

Improve access to patients

Cannabis can be an effective medicine for some serious conditions.

Patients should be able to access the medicine that works for them without fear of prosecution. Legal cannabis would mean easier, cheaper access for patients to a wider range of products.

The Drug Foundation is backing the Government’s referendum to legalise and control the cannabis market. Vote ‘Yes’ to put rules around cannabis, free up Police time and put new taxes towards health and education.

We call on every Kiwi to learn the facts, and talk to your friends and family about why you are voting ‘Yes’ on the day.