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.

It's time to take control of cannabis

Everyday New Zealanders are voting yes in the cannabis referendum. Find out why.

Visit On Our Terms

The referendum on legalising cannabis will be held at the General Election on Saturday 17 October.

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.

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.

Find out more

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.

About the Bill

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.

Reasons to Vote Yes

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.

Patients could benefit

What you need to know

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.

Get the message out: Vote Yes On Our Terms

Order flyers and posters

You can order posters and flyers to distribute in your street, workplace or wider community. These are designed to help convince people sitting on the fence that positive change is the best option for New Zealand.

Flyer & Poster Orders

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Authorised by the NZ Drug Foundation, 265 Wakefield Street, Wellington.

Health Not Handcuffs logo for Cannabis Referendum

Drug laws that give people a hand up, not a lockup.

Vote Yes: Cannabis Control Bill

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.