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Legalising cannabis and assisted dying legislation – what are we voting on?
Next month’s general election is about more than just choosing parties and candidates. The 2020 poll will also include two referendums – one on whether to legalise recreational cannabis use and a second to give people with terminal illness the option of assisted dying. Both are controversial, complex and often divisive issues that can have a polarising effect on people. But what are we actually voting for and what will it mean if either is supported? Mahurangi Matters and Hibiscus Matters outlines the fundamentals of each referendum below, with links to relevant legislation and Government information. Both referendums will require a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, and both are optional. The referendum votes will not be counted on election night.
Cannabis legalisation and control referendum
What are we voting on?
The question being asked is “Do you support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill?” This is a draft bill that proposes to legalise the use and possession of cannabis, and its sale from licensed suppliers. The vote is non-binding, which means that the Government could choose not to implement a result in favour (though this is unlikely).
Because it is a draft bill, it will still need to go through the full parliamentary debating and decision-making process before it can become law.
If that happened, who would be allowed to use cannabis?
A person aged 20 or over would be able to buy up to 14 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) per day from licensed outlets and/or grow up to two plants. They could also use cannabis on private property or at special licensed premises.
How would it be controlled?
The Government would limit the amount of cannabis for sale from licensed shops, control its potency and charge an excise tax on packaged products.
Why is the law change being proposed?
The Government says the Bill’s principal purpose is to reduce cannabis-related harm to individuals, families, whānau and communities by eliminating the illegal supply of cannabis, raising awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis use and restricting young people’s access to cannabis.
Where can I find out more about this?
A summary is available online at: referendums.govt.nz/cannabis/summary
The proposed bill can be read in full here: referendums.govt.nz/materials/Cannabis-Legalisation-and-Control-Bill-Exposure-Draft-for-Referendum
End of Life Choice Act 2019 referendum
What are we voting on?
The question: Do you support the End of Life Choice Act 2019 coming into force? Parliament passed the End of Life Choice Act in November last year, but it will only become law if more than half of voters are in favour. The Act gives people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying.
Why was the End of Life Choice Act brought in?
The principal aim was to give people with terminal illness the freedom to choose to end their lives with dignity and to minimise unnecessary suffering.
What does assisted dying mean?
A person with a terminal illness would be able to ask their doctor to give them a lethal dose of medication to relieve their suffering by bringing on death.
Could anyone request it?
No. To be eligible, a person must be aged at least 18 years, be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, suffer from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months, have significant and ongoing decline in physical capability, experience unbearable suffering that cannot be eased and be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
Two doctors must then agree that the individual meets all these criteria.
The patient also has to be able to understand, remember and use or weigh up information about assisted dying when making their decision, and be able to communicate that decision.
Where can I find out more about this?
A summary of information is available online here: referendums.govt.nz/endoflifechoice/summary.html
The proposed Act can be read in full here: legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2019/0067/latest/DLM7285905.html?src=qs
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