Editorial: Legalisation of cannabis part of agreement

James Ford.

The legalisation of cannabis has long been debated and will come to a head imminently.

A public referendum on legalising the drug for personal use will be held before the 2020 election as part of the agreement between the Green and Labour parties.

It's a subject that divides opinion like no other.
Potential legalisation, you would hope, ensures the drug meets acceptable standards and removes criminal gangs from the equation.

But then the most persistent argument against marijuana use is that it's a "gateway drug."
It ineluctably leads to the use of harder substances.

A Facebook poll run by the New Zealand Herald showed the majority of New Zealanders want to see cannabis legalised.

More than 15000 were for the drug to be made legal while 3300 voted against.
We must take in to consideration, though, the demographic in which are more likely to vote on Facebook.

A national referendum would undoubtedly have a less one-sided result.
Legally regulating cannabis would enable long-term studies to be carried out on its effects in a similar way to the effects of cigarettes and alcohol.

But , by default, it then becomes easier to obtain.
It seems public opinion has certainly shifted and our approach to cannabis is becoming multifaceted.

Ultimately it will be up to us as to whether the law changes, and it will be an interesting time.

Fortunately we all have a voice, and, in this case, we should certainly use it.