New Zealanders will not only elect their prime minister this weekend but also vote on whether or not they will be able to buy cannabis from a local shop, an issue that has clouded this election.
The country is running two referendum questions alongside the general election.
The proposed Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill allows those over 20 to buy 14 grams of the drug each day from a licensed outlet and grow four plants per household.
Eighty per cent of Kiwis have admitted trying the drug and local police arrest more people for cannabis, per head of population, than any other country in the world. Those caught possessing the substance can be fined $500 or jailed for 14 years.
The new law would see any person under 20 caught with cannabis being offered an education session.
Polling since 2018 measuring public support for a law change has fluctuated been between 29 and 60 per cent, however last week a major news outlet said its research revealed 49 per cent would favour…
