Support for homegrown pot
An online survey has found just 19 per cent support for retaining the current prohibition policy for recreational cannabis use.
Nearly three-quarters of those who took part had used cannabis in the previous six months. Despite that, Associate Professor Chris Wilkins, who led the study, said he thought respondents were a good broad demographic representation of the population, although with some bias.
The New Zealand Drug Trends
Survey was carried out between November and February. It was promoted through a targeted Facebook campaign.
They were asked which of 10 options they favoured for managing recreational cannabis use, ranging from the present prohibition, through to a profitdriven market with no restrictions.
More than 6300 people completed the survey, although 36 per cent did not indicate a preference. Of about 4100 people who did show a preference, the most popular option was for home production and use only, with 27 per cent support.
Another 21 per cent favoured a profit-driven market with light restrictions, similar to that in force for alcohol, while 19 per cent wanted to keep the existing situation with prohibition and criminal penalties.
New Zealanders are due to vote in a referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis by the 2020 general election at the latest. The referendum was part of the confidence and supply agreement between Labour and the Greens.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government had yet to finalise a decision on the timing of the referendum.
‘‘Obviously we need to make that decision quite soon to get everything in place, but we also need to work on the question, and that’s something that’s obviously going to be really key, making sure that we’re making the best use of going out and asking New Zealanders,’’ she said on The AM
Show yesterday.
Wilkins said respondents to the self-selecting online survey broadly resembled the demographic profile and regional distribution of the wider New Zealand population.
Obviously people interested in the issue were more likely to take part, but an online survey was more likely to reach younger people than were surveys carried out by landline, or by visiting people at their home.
Of those who answered the survey, 45 per cent were female, 21 per cent were Ma¯ori, 65 per cent were employed, 18 per cent were students and 11 per cent unemployed. The average age was 29, and the range was 16 to 87. Seventy-three per cent of the sample reported using cannabis, 33 per cent ecstasy, 26 per cent LSD, 20 per cent methamphetamine, 11 per cent cocaine and 5 per cent morphine in the previous six months.