When Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister of New Zealand, in 2017, she promised a vote on cannabis legalization. Her party, the Labour party, in partnership with the Green Party, said they would make it happen before the end of their term, which is this year.
That promise is one step closer to fulfillment, even amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, the legislation on which New Zealanders will vote was published, revealing the final specifics of the government’s plan for legal cannabis in the country.
The Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill would, broadly, allow for adults age 20 and older to participate in regulated cannabis use and sales. The purpose of the bill, according to the government, is “to reduce cannabis-related harm to individuals, families/whānau and communities.”
New Zealand also plans to place a cap on the amount of cannabis in the market, which would be adjusted annually. A licensee could hold up to 20% of that cap, which is significant if the market was represented by only five licensees. But that won’t happen, as “part of the cap would be set aside for micro-cultivators.”
Read more at cannabiswire.com