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 TermsThe 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.
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What you need to know
All products labelled; potency limited
Cannabis products will be sold in plain, child-proof packaging with health warnings on every packet.
Police can focus on serious crime
Prohibition is a waste of valuable Police resources. Free up time for them to focus on keeping communities safe.
Better outcomes for Māori
Legalising cannabis will mean improvements in health, justice and economic development for Māori.
Taxes go to health and education
Hundreds of millions of new tax dollars will be put towards health and education programmes to benefit all New Zealanders.
No cannabis in public spaces
Cannabis will be sold from specialist stores only. Use will be restricted to private homes and licensed premises.
In this section:
The Bill
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Why vote Yes?
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The Referendum
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Get updates
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FAQs
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Donate
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07 July 2020
Chief Science Advisor's report strengthens the case for legalisation
PM's Chief Science Adviser has made key findings supporting the view that legalisation is the best public health response to cannabis use.
06 July 2020
Cannabis Control Bill: Righting the wrongs
The final version of the draft Cannabis Control Bill was released in May. Dr Alana Oakly outlines how it addresses social equity.
01 July 2020
ASA rules in Drug Foundation’s favour on cannabis referendum campaign
Decision regarding complaints received about our ‘Vote Yes On Our Terms’ cannabis referendum campaign ads welcomed.
11 November 2019
No is a vote to maintain Aotearoa’s status quo
Some say cannabis law is a tool of race and class oppression. At the same time, many people with terminal illness or chronic pain have found...
