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42 joints a day in draft law

New Zealanders could buy the equivalent of 42 joints each day under a draft law to legalise cannabis use.

Personal possession of 14 grams of cannabis, the sale of cannabis edibles, and growing up to four cannabis plants per household are all included in the bill, on which the public will be asked to vote ‘‘yes or no’’ at next year’s general election.

Justice Minister Andrew Little yesterday announced the details of the bill, as well as a new website to provide information on the cannabis and End of Life Choice referendum being held in 2020.

The 14g threshold already looks to be a sticking point; National deputy leader Paula Bennett says she wants it to be lower.

If passed, the bill would allow cannabis to be consumed, sold and bought for recreational use, by people aged 20 years or older.

‘‘This is about setting up a regulatory regime that is as strict and tight as we can make it,’’ Little said.

"One of the public health objectives is to reduce and if not, eliminate access by young people. At the very least, it is to push out first use ... or experimental use till later,’’ Little said.

Consumption would be restricted to homes and licensed premises, which will sell cannabis products of controlled potency. Smoking on the beach will not be allowed, for instance, and would be punished by a $200 fine.

Online sales and advertising cannabis products will also be illegal.

Home cultivation of two cannabis plants per person will be permitted. But no more than four plants can be grown in a household with two or more people aged 20 years or older.

Little said he had received advice that 14 grams was the amount a regular user would consume during a week, but did not personally know if this was a lot of cannabis.

‘‘I am not a user. I did inhale though, once.’’

A University of Pennsylvania study found cannabis consumers rolled about three joints per gram – meaning 42 joints from 14 grams.

Little said the number was capped at four plants per household to prevent ‘‘de facto’’ commercial growing operations.

‘‘The reality is, we’re not going to have a squad knocking on every door, every night checking the growth of every plant . . . But that said, the police have an approach now that is focused on harm minimisation,’’ he said.

A regulatory authority will be created to manage the licensing system and control the THC, or active ingredient, in cannabis products.

Little said the first cross-party meeting on the bill would happen later this week.

The Green Party, which negotiated the referendum under its confidence and supply agreement with Labour, was in support of the bill.

The party’s drug reform spokeswoman, Chlo¨e Swarbrick, said the law was focused on reducing access to cannabis among young people and increasing support for people who have problematic consumption.

New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said the draft law ‘‘ticks all the boxes’’ for public health control.

‘‘The Government here is saying a week’s worth of supply per purchase is about right . . . In terms of striking a balance, I think that’s OK.’’

Bennett said the bill was in ‘‘no way’’ binding, and National’s caucus was yet to decide its position on the bill. ‘‘The more I know, the more I’m likely to vote no. I worry so much about drug driving.’’