New Zealand Voters Reject Cannabis Legalization
November 3, 2020New Zealand voters appear to have rejected legalizing recreational cannabis, according to preliminary results. The non-binding referendum appeared on the ballot during the country’s general election on October 17 but results were not released until last Friday. A second ballot measure, to legalize euthanasia, succeeded by a two-to-one margin.
The question of cannabis legalization was rejected by 53% of voters and favored by 46%. Proponents of the measure were frustrated that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declined to take a position on the matter, unlike the euthanasia proposal, which she backed. She revealed last week that she had voted in support of the cannabis proposal, further vexing advocates who believe her support might have made the difference.
Although the vote did not carry legal weight, Justice Minister Andew Little said that the government would drop efforts to legalize or decriminalize cannabis.—Danny Sullivan
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