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> We are also looking to legalise marijuana What a confusing statement. You only just recently had a nation-wide referendum on this issue, a majority voted no,

> We are also looking to legalise marijuana What a confusing statement. You only just recently had a nation-wide referendum on this issue, a majority voted no, it was not passed. NZ will not try again to legalise for at least a decade or two. Strict Asian countries that currently hang people for weed are more likely to be legally selling marijuana in corner-stores before the Kiwis do. The recent vote made any attempt to change the law in parliament untouchable for a long time, pushing it through would be political suicide. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_New_Zealand_cannabis_referendum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_New_Zealand_cannabis_refe...

xupybd 6y ago
That was a non binding referendum. With our current government I suspect they will move to legalize regardless of the referendum results. It would not be the first time they have decided to go against a non binding referendum. I would be surprised if they don't legalize within the next decade.
- BelenusMordred 6y ago
  > With our current government I suspect they will move to legalize regardless of the referendum results. Adern famously never had a position on the ballot despite later saying she voted yes. I honestly doubt taking such a political risk for little gain is on her agenda. > I would be surprised if they don't legalise within the next decade. Dragged kicking and screaming by international counterparts perhaps. Otherwise I see no one actually willing to do it. Not sure about how it works in NZ but I would love Australia to have non-binding referendums. Even the politicians in support of higly popular issues like gay marriage were terrified of putting it to a referendum, same with Aboriginal recognition in the constitution which has overwhelming bipartisan and public support, everyone is shitscared it likely won't pass the threshold and for good reason. Referendums are basically impossible to pass in oz, a super-majority is a very difficult thing to achieve in a country. Have the feeling the reason they are out of favour now is because it dramatically highlights how much serious electoral power a hundred thousand people in Tasmania/SA wield.

xupybd 6y ago

That was a non binding referendum. With our current government I suspect they will move to legalize regardless of the referendum results. It would not be the first time they have decided to go against a non binding referendum. I would be surprised if they don't legalize within the next decade.

BelenusMordred 6y ago
> With our current government I suspect they will move to legalize regardless of the referendum results. Adern famously never had a position on the ballot despite later saying she voted yes. I honestly doubt taking such a political risk for little gain is on her agenda. > I would be surprised if they don't legalise within the next decade. Dragged kicking and screaming by international counterparts perhaps. Otherwise I see no one actually willing to do it. Not sure about how it works in NZ but I would love Australia to have non-binding referendums. Even the politicians in support of higly popular issues like gay marriage were terrified of putting it to a referendum, same with Aboriginal recognition in the constitution which has overwhelming bipartisan and public support, everyone is shitscared it likely won't pass the threshold and for good reason. Referendums are basically impossible to pass in oz, a super-majority is a very difficult thing to achieve in a country. Have the feeling the reason they are out of favour now is because it dramatically highlights how much serious electoral power a hundred thousand people in Tasmania/SA wield.