Watch: 'It's time to take this to the public' – Jacinda Ardern backs Greens demand for cannabis referendum

October 24, 2017

Ms Ardern says the public will have their say on the issue, a major win for the Green Party.

A referendum on the legalisation of cannabis for personal use will go ahead as the Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern signed a confidence and supply agreement with Green Party leader James Shaw today.

An email that circulated around the Green Party's delegates on Thursday listed "a referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis at, or by, the 2020 general election," among other policy gains under its agreement with Labour.

This afternoon that agreement was solidified as the party leaders officially signed a confidence and supply agreement.

The Green Party leader says farmers will be supported in the transition, and cities will soon notice increased numbers of electric vehicles.

The long list of concessions also includes the "overhauling" of the welfare system, including removing "excessive sanctions"; a significant increase in the Conservation budget; and free counselling for under-25s.

Other areas listed in the letter include new water quality measures, working towards ending the gender pay gap and reducing student hardship.

The Greens have been given three ministerial portfolios in their key policy areas, but will sit outside of Cabinet in a confidence and supply agreement with the next Labour-led government. 

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