23 May 2018 - National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

Cannabis campaigners have welcomed news today the Government is considering bringing forward the binding referendum on legalising cannabis to next year, 2019, rather than during the 2020 general election.

"Bring it on," said Chris Fowlie, president of NORML New Zealand Inc. "A solid majority of New Zealand adults support law reform and people are telling us they don't want to wait any longer."

"The government needs to keep up with international developments: Canada will legalise in July this year," he said. "The World Health Organisation is among those calling for drug law reform."

NORML believes the cannabis referendum should be a binding vote on a known, specified, law that should take immediate effect should it pass.

"We are pleased to see the Government are considering what the next steps should be," said Rebecca Reider. "There needs to be a public education and consultation phase so there is a clear understanding on what the proposal means. The best way of doing this is for the public to make submissions on the proposed laws, and then be able to vote them into law at the referendum."

ENDS

© Scoop Media