Current Events > New Zealand votes to legalize euthanasia but not marijuana

(+) Yeah! (+)

New Zealanders voted to legalize euthanasia in a binding referendum, but preliminary results released Friday showed they likely would not legalize marijuana.

With about 83% of votes counted, New Zealanders emphatically endorsed the euthanasia measure with 65% voting in favor and 34% voting against.

The No vote on marijuana was much closer, with 53% voting against legalizing the drug for recreational use and 46% voting in favor. That left open a slight chance the measure could still pass once all special votes were counted next week, although it would require a huge swing.

In past elections, special votes which include those cast by overseas voters have tended to be more liberal than general votes, giving proponents of marijuana legalization some hope the measure could still pass.

Proponents of marijuana legalization were frustrated that popular Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wouldn't reveal how she intended to vote ahead the Oct. 17 ballot, saying she wanted to leave the decision to New Zealanders. Ardern said Friday after the results were released that she had voted in favor of both referendums.

Conservative lawmaker Nick Smith, from the opposition National Party, welcomed the preliminary marijuana result.

This is a victory for common sense. Research shows cannabis causes mental health problems, reduced motivation and educational achievement, and increased road and workplace deaths," he said. New Zealanders have rightly concluded that legalizing recreational cannabis would normalize it, make it more available, increase its use and cause more harm."

But liberal lawmaker Chle Swarbrick, from the Green Party, said they had long assumed the vote would be close and they needed to wait until the specials were counted.

We have said from the outset that this would always come down to voter turnout. Weve had record numbers of special votes, so I remain optimistic," she said. New Zealand has had a really mature and ever-evolving conversation about drug laws in this country and weve come really far in the last three years."

The euthanasia measure, which would also allow assisted suicide and takes effect in November 2021, would apply to adults who have terminal illnesses, are likely to die within six months, and are enduring unbearable suffering. Other countries that allow some form of euthanasia include The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Belgium and Colombia.

The marijuana measure would allow people to buy up to 14 grams (0.5 ounce) a day and grow two plants. It was a non-binding vote, so if voters approved it, legislation would have to be passed to implement it.

Ardern had promised to respect the outcome and bring forward the legislation, if it was necessary.
Other countries that have legalized or decriminalized
recreational marijuana include Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, Georgia plus a number of U.S. states.

Full Article: https://japantoday.com/category/world/new-zealand-votes-to-legalize-euthanasia-but-not-marijuana



So you can kill people but getting high is wrong?

Makes perfect sense

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euthanasia should be legal everywhere tho

forcing people to live against their will is cruel

Comparison doesn't make sense to me.

what blows my mind is that in some cases, marijuana might help people to want to live. it can relieve certain pains. it doesn't even have to get you high to do it.

Zikten posted...

what blows my mind is that in some cases, marijuana might help people to want to live. it can relieve certain pains. it doesn't even have to get you high to do it.

indeed

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People should have the right to decide what to do to their own body.

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Dont respond to TCs troll posts

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Rika_Furude posted...

Dont respond to TCs troll posts

We can only make fun of america on this board, right?

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nah but TC isnt a genuine person

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Why they hate weed ?

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BobLoblaw_ posted...

Why they hate weed ?

Religion

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UnfairRepresent posted...

Religion

Id say a large portion of the country dont hate cannabis, however that referendum is full of holes. The person pushing it pulled some stats out her ass on tv advocating for it. I work in a role which sees some drug abuse and I get a good insight from other countries which have legalised and they dont seem to have it under control.

Crazymaori posted...

I work in a role which sees some drug abuse and I get a good insight from other countries which have legalised and they dont seem to have it under control.

Decriminalization and legalisation have been shown to have little to no affect on usage rates. It also opens the door for people to get treatment without worrying as much about the stigma of illegal drug use.

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Zero issue with those wanting it for medicinal purposes. The big push from our Green Party was that it was going to take away from the organised crime side of things - that wasnt well proposed nor has it impacted drug trade in those other legalised places.

Doesn't matter

it's still personal freedom to decide what to put in your own body

Even before you get into the absurd punishment for those who do it?

"Well legal pot smoking didn't stop meth kingpins " is atrocious logic

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What would that useless shithead Nick Smith know about common sense?

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All drugs should be legal. Let darwinism sort that shit out.
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harley2280 posted...

All drugs should be legal. Let darwinism sort that shit out.

You got my vote

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harley2280 posted...

All drugs should be legal. Let darwinism sort that shit out.

Better and less sociopathic solution: drugs should be a medical issue, not a legal issue

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harley2280 posted...

All drugs should be legal.

yes

Let darwinism sort that shit out.

wot

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Wherethisfeom posted...

But masks tho

People aren't forced to wear masks, they are free to stay home and not spread the virus to others that way if they so choose.

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At least they got it half right

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shockthemonkey posted...

I dont understand anyone who thinks marijuana should be criminalized

As I sit on my porch with a fatty of Mittens Cake Batter without a concern of being arrested because I'm in Canada, I have never been able to understand why anyone would be against it. It's an enjoyable sensation and there are countless of medical properties to it. My brother started his Cane Corso on cbd oil due to arthritis and it has helped immensely. My mom got off sleeping pills and opiate painkillers because of oils/edibles.

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MuayThai85 posted...

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


As I sit on my porch with a fatty of Mittens Cake Batter without a concern of being arrested because I'm in Canada, I have never been able to understand why anyone would be against it. It's an enjoyable sensation and there are countless of medical properties to it. My brother started his Cane Corso on cbd oil due to arthritis and it has helped immensely. My mom got off sleeping pills and opiate painkillers because of oils/edibles.

Because I don't like something so no one should be allowed to do it. Just like gay marriage and abortion.
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Kaiganeer posted...

euthanasia should be legal everywhere tho

forcing people to live against their will is cruel

yes

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Zikten posted...

what blows my mind is that in some cases, marijuana might help people to want to live. it can relieve certain pains. it doesn't even have to get you high to do it.

Getting high reprocesses pain only for it to come back later and more intensely. It doesn't "help" it.

IXI_Fission_IXI posted...

Zikten posted...

what blows my mind is that in some cases, marijuana might help people to want to live. it can relieve certain pains. it doesn't even have to get you high to do it.

Getting high reprocesses pain only for it to come back later and more intensely. It doesn't "help" it.

What in the fuck? That's like saying Tylenol doesn't help with arthritis. Something doesn't have to be a cure to help.
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IXI_Fission_IXI posted...

Getting high reprocesses pain only for it to come back later and more intensely. It doesn't "help" it.

go on...

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Wherethisfeom posted...

I know, was being facetious.

Fair enough.

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