New Zealand will vote on legalizing cannabis in 2020May 7, 2019 - 14:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - New Zealand will hold a referendum on legalizing cannabis during the 2020 general election, the government announced Tuesday, May 7, Deutsche Welle reports. Justice Minister Andrew Little said the vote would be binding, but it will ultimately be up to the next administration to enact the legislation. Little said voters would be asked "a simple Yes/No question on the bases of a draft piece of legislation." The draft law will include: - A minimum age of 20 to use and purchase recreational cannabis - Regulations and commercial supply controls, limiting cannabis use and sales to licensed premises - A ban on advertising cannabis products - Limited home-growing and private cultivation options - A public education program Little said the coalition government was committed "to a health-based approach to drugs, to minimize harm and take control away from criminals." The referendum was part of a confidence and supply agreement the Green Party negotiated with the governing Labour Party. Greens MP Chloe Swarbrick said the vote presented the "greatest opportunity for cannabis law reform our country has seen in 40 years." She added that the draft legislation will outline a clear regulatory regime to "avoid any potential of a 'Brexit' situation because people will know exactly what the future holds, and how these changes will be implemented." Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |