Cannabis in New Zealand

Cannabis in New Zealand
Location of New Zealand (dark green)
MedicinalLegal
RecreationalIllegal
HempLegal
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The use of cannabis in New Zealand is regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which makes unauthorised possession of any amount of cannabis a crime. Cannabis is the fourth-most widely used recreational drug in New Zealand, after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, and the most widely used illicit drug. In 2001 a household survey revealed that 13.4% of New Zealanders aged 15–64 used cannabis. This ranked as the ninth-highest cannabis consumption level in the world.[1]

From 18 December 2018, the Misuse of Drugs Act was amended, allowing for much broader use of medical marijuana, making the drug available to terminally ill patients in the last 12 months of life.[2] As of the end of 2022, dried cannabis flower is available on prescription to anyone who might benefit from it who is suffering from issues around pain, sleep or anxiety.[3]

In December 2018, the Labour-led government announced a referendum on the legality of cannabis for personal use, to be held as part of the 2020 general election.[4] This was a condition of the Green Party giving confidence and supply to the Government.[5][6][7] In 2020 the referendum was held, asking voters whether they support a new bill which would regulate sale, production and possession of cannabis in New Zealand,[8] in which the 'no' vote won, receiving 50.7% of the vote.[9][10]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference UNOFFICE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Roy, Eleanor Ainge (11 December 2018). "New Zealand passes laws to make medical marijuana widely available". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  3. ^ Schulz, Chris (30 June 2022). "You can get actual weed from the doctor now". The Spinoff. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Binding referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use to be held at 2020 election". Radio New Zealand. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Confidence and Supply Agreement between the New Zealand Labour Party and the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand" (PDF). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Referendum-Stuff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Referendum-BBC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Cannabis referendum: A simple yes or no question on reform at 2020 General Election". Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  9. ^ "'No' vote for cannabis legalisation shrinks to 50.7 percent after final votes". RNZ. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Official referendum results released". Elections. Retrieved 16 October 2023.