Muller signals softer stance on cannabis

the leadership by fellow MPS on Friday, was unwilling to directly commit to passing the legislation if it were supported by the public – saying in May 2019 he would not deal with ‘‘hypotheticals’’.

While Muller said the caucus was yet to produce a ‘‘finely distilled’’ perspective, he had a ‘‘belief that if the people have spoken, and given a pretty clear steer that they support it, then we need to take very strong cognisance of that, in terms of the legislative changes that will then follow’’.

Bennett, who retained the party’s drug reform portfolio despite being removed from the deputy leader position on Friday, similarly expressed support for backing the referendum outcome.

‘‘From my perspective I believe in the will of the people and I believe a referendum should stand if the people have spoken for it.’’

A cross-party group of MPS, including Bennett, had for months been discussing drug law reform behind the scenes, before the final draft of the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill was made public this month. The referendum on the prospective law will be ‘‘non-binding’’, meaning it will not come into force if the public votes it through. The bill will have to be progressed through the House in the normal fashion.