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 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.
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.
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.
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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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.
In this section:
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14 September 2020
Cannabis legalisation could boost public health funding, Government reports show
Massive funding opportunities for public health under cannabis legalisation, Government reports show
08 September 2020
Economic report shows New Zealand will be better off under legal cannabis
Economic reports released by Government show New Zealanders will be better off under legal cannabis.
01 September 2020
Science Advisor lays down facts on referendum
A new report from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor makes key findings supporting the Drug Foundation’s view that legalisation is t...
31 August 2020
The sky didn't fall
Attitudes about cannabis use are changing as legalisation brings more education opportunities and fears about drug harm fade.
