New Zealand's 'reeferendum' on legalising cannabis could go either way with polls showing Yes and No campaigns tied at 49.5% each
- New Zealanders are within a percentage point of legalising and taxing cannabis
- Support for the Yes and No campaigns in the 'reeferendum' is split at 49.5% each
- Vote and referendum on euthanasia to be held at national election on October 17
New Zealanders are within a percentage point of legalising and taxing cannabis, according to a new poll six weeks out from a referendum on the matter.
News outlet Stuff reports support for the Yes and No campaigns in the 'reeferendum' is split at 49.5 per cent each, with one per cent saying 'don't know'.
The No campaign, which aims to keep the status quo, has an edge when just registered voters are counted, leading 50.8 per cent to 48.4 per cent.
New Zealanders are within a percentage point of legalising and taxing cannabis, according to a new poll six weeks out from a referendum on the matter (file picture)
The vote is being held alongside a similar referendum on euthanasia at the national election on October 17.
Voting and being on the electoral roll is optional in New Zealand.
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The new poll, of 1,300 voters, shows the closeness of the debate.
Each survey conducted by pollsters aligned with major TV network polling has put the prohibitionist campaign ahead, while most online polls show the opposite.
Jacinda Ardern is sitting on the fence on the issue, refusing to be drawn on which way she will vote, and with a surprisingly blank history on the topic.
The vote is being held at the behest of the Greens, which made the referendum a condition of their support for Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led government back in 2017.
Ms Ardern is sitting on the fence on the issue, refusing to be drawn on which way she will vote, and with a surprisingly blank history on the topic.
That's drawn the ire of campaigners, hoping the country's most popular politician might intervene to tip the ballot their way.
Labour has offered its MPs a conscience vote while opposition National MPs are all voting against it.
