Ethnic Chinese among voters against cannabis legalisation as New Zealand polls open

Name: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern casts her vote ahead of general elections
Uploaded: 2020-10-16T21:00:15.000Z
Duration: 1 min 1 s
Description: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern casts her vote ahead of general elections

Surveys indicate the euthanasia referendum is likely to pass, while the result of the recreational marijuana measure remains uncertain

Meanwhile, Ardern’s Labour has a comfortable lead over the main opposition National Party, thanks to her decisive response to the pandemic

Reading Time:4 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern casts her vote at a polling station in Auckland on October 3. Photo: Xinhua

Associated Press

Published: 5:00am, 17 Oct 2020Updated: 2:33pm, 17 Oct 2020

New Zealanders are poised to decide on two landmark social issues on Saturday: whether to legalise recreational cannabis and euthanasia.

A “yes” vote on both referendums, taking place concurrently with the general election, would arguably make the nation of 5 million one of the more liberal countries in the world. Polls indicate the euthanasia referendum is likely to pass, with strong support from diverse groups across the country, while the result of the recreational marijuana measure remains uncertain.

Voting went smoothly in New Zealand on Saturday, even though a record number had cast early ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern brought home-made cheese scones to campaign volunteers in Auckland and appeared relaxed as she awaited results.

Arguing against the referendum are a number of community and religious groups who have formed the “Say Nope to Dope” campaign. The alliance, which includes Christian groups, former drug addicts and ex-police officers, say today’s marijuana is strong, addictive and harmful, and that keeping it illegal deters people from using it.

“Retaining it as a criminal offence sends a clear and unequivocal message that New Zealanders regard drug use as a dangerous and unacceptable form of recreation,” the group said in a statement.

A recent survey showed that ethnic Chinese voters were not in favour of legalising cannabis, but were likely to tick ‘yes’ in the end of life referendum.

01:01

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern casts her vote ahead of general elections