My op ed in NZ Herald on provisional result of NZ cannabis referendum

My op ed on the provisional result of the New Zealand cannabis referendum was published in the New Zealand Herald today: link here. Seventeen per cent of all votes cast, including all overseas votes, are yet to be counted. When counted by next Friday, 6 November, they are likely to lift the yes vote, but it does have a high hill to climb to overtake the no vote at this stage.

Thinking caps need to be applied to what could happen next. Amending the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2019 so that it actually treats use and possession as a health issue not a criminal one could be a way forward. That was the intention of the Amendment Act, but its application has been thwarted by the retention of police discretion on arrests and prosecutions. See these articles by the Herald's Derek Cheng on 13 July and on 6 October.

Unfortunately without legalisation the full health, economic, and social benefits of change cannot be optimised. But, let's see what the special/overseas votes say. Photo credit: NZ Herald - photo was published with the op ed.