This election, the public will be asked in a non-binding referendum if they support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill.
If a majority aren’t in favour of the bill and vote no in the referendum, recreational cannabis remains illegal.
But even if most people vote yes, cannabis doesn’t automatically become legal.
The next Government can introduce a proposed law to Parliament after the election and from there, the public can share their thoughts and ideas on legalising cannabis.
How does the bill work?
Currently, the draft bill sets out that only people aged 20 and older could access cannabis.
It would also control the production and supply of cannabis with rules for restricting access, growing and consumption, licensing requirements, taxes, levies and fees.
For example, an individual could own two cannabis plants (to a maximum of four per household) and process up to 14 grams of cannabis a day.
Licensed premises would be allowed to sell cannabis, but it could only be consumed on site or in a private residence. Consumption in public places would be prohibited, and online or remote sales of cannabis would not be allowed.
There would be a ban on advertising of cannabis products, although limited marketing will be allowed.
Holding a referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis at, or by, the 2020 general election was in the Green and Labour coalition and supply agreement in forming the Government in 2017.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said if re-elected she was committed to following through with the results of the referendum.
National told 1 NEWS that, if elected to Government, it would respect the cannabis referendum outcome and, if passed, introduce the bill and send it to Select Committee.
“Whether the bill progresses beyond that stage will depend on public submissions and Parliament.”
What do those on each side of the argument think about the proposed law legalising recreational cannabis?
The ‘no’ side
National's Paula Bennett said in February people were “not getting prosecuted for personal use" and people were “realising that actually legalising recreational cannabis can't be good for our mental health as a nation".
The ‘yes’ side
AUT associate professor Khylee Quince told TVNZ1's Breakfast in June that drug reform would lead to better outcomes for health, education and justice.
“This is an opportunity to control a substance that at the moment we have very little control over,” she said.
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