December 18, 2018

“We are ready”.

This is the message from the #makeitlegal Campaign following Minister Andrew Little’s announcement today that the referendum on Cannabis Legalisation will be held in 2020.

“We welcome this announcement setting out the timing of the referendum, and also that it will be binding,” says #makeitlegal Campaign Manager Sandra Murray.

“Having the referendum at the election will maximise turnout, which is good because we know from polls over a number of years that a majority of New Zealanders support cannabis law reform.”

“The Coalition is also pleased the referendum will be binding, meaning all parties will have to respect the will of the people to #makeitlegal, and it avoids political point scoring by future governments.”

“It is disappointing that we haven’t got clarity on the question yet. Our Coalition reiterates our preference for a two part question that asks firstly whether people support adults being able to possess and grow cannabis for personal use, and secondly whether they support adults being able to buy cannabis from licensed premises. This could be in the form of a modular bill, which allows one or both divisions to be passed depending on the outcome of the referendum.”

“Having said that, we will be campaigning hard for a yes vote to any progressive question. We are excited to be having the debate. We are focusing on supporting local areas to have an informed discussion about how reform will benefit their community, as well as how potential problems will be avoided. We already have a network of regional groups to support this.”

The #makeitlegal Campaign, co-ordinated by the Cannabis Referendum Coalition, is a networked coalition of groups and individuals who want the referendum to return a strong Yes vote for cannabis law reform.

Following the Coalition’s hugely successful conference in Wellington on the 9th November, regional groups have been formed throughout the country – many already planning campaign training workshops.

These #makeitlegal groups will take the campaign to their communities – organising speaking tours, public events and fundraising gigs to raise awareness of the issues and the need to vote Yes.

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