Adult-Use Cannabis to be on New Zealand’s September Ballot

After releasing the first draft of a cannabis legalization bill in December of last year, New Zealand is scheduled to vote on the final version of the referendum this September. And while the final draft of the bill is still being formed, the question on the ballot, according to Marijuana Business Daily, has already been decided: “Do you support the proposed Cannabis Legalization and Control Bill?”

December’s draft bill detailed several opportunities that would be available to businesses if the referendum was passed. These included business opportunities around manufacturing, cultivation, and retail. But those opposed to recreational legalization say any vote in favor of legalizing adult-use in New Zealand would not necessarily be binding on the incoming government to put into law. If over 50% of the vote is in favor of the draft bill, it only means a bill would then be presented to Parliament for a vote.