EXPLAINER:
Even if there is a majority “yes” vote in the cannabis referendum, it would be about 18 months before people could legally puff a joint at home or in a specialised cafe.
The preliminary results of the cannabis referendum will be released tomorrow at 2pm.
It will be one of the final steps in a process that started three years ago when the Labour-Greens confidence and supply agreement included a promise for a referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use.
That led to drafting of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, which is yet to be introduced to Parliament but details the framework for a legal market.
But tomorrow is not the final count. That won’t be revealed until November 6, and will include the 480,000-odd special votes.
If tomorrow’s preliminary count is close, the final verdict may well hinge on how the special votes fall.
What happens if there is a ‘yes’ vote?
With a parliamentary majority, Labour does not need support from any other party to push the bill…