Edible ]products (but not medicine or hemp) products will be legal under new legislation that the public will decide on at a referendum next year.
The public will be asked a simple yes/no referendum question and if it passes, Parliament will then pass legislation to make it lawful.
If the referendum results in a no vote, then the status quo will continue.
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POLITICS4:07 pm today
Cannabis referendum: Legal edibles, age restrictions and purchasing limits
Edible cannabis products will be legal under new legislation that the public will decide on at a referendum next year.
Justice Minister Andrew Little has released the draft bill for all political parties to provide feedback on and the first step of a public education campaign ahead of the country going to the polls in 2020.
The public will be asked a simple yes/no referendum question and if it passes, Parliament will then pass legislation to make it lawful.
If the referendum results in a no vote, then the status quo will continue.
* Read the draft bill online here
The bill includes a minimum age of 20 to use and purchase cannabis, and controls will ensure the potency of the products are regulated.
It also allows for a state licensing regime of cannabis-infused products, such as edibles.
There will also be a purchasing limit – users will only be able to buy a maximum of 14 grams per day – and there will also a limit on the total amount of cannabis grown under licence.
In late October, Mr Little announced plans to counter misinformation in any campaigns leading up to the cannabis and the End of Life Choice bills. The plans included a special team within the Ministry of Justice to direct people to information aimed to be as accurate and neutral “as possible”, and to be on the look-out for any attempts to deliberately mislead the public.
BEN VIDGEN -- The Consulting 'Oartistic' Dsylexic Detective. 