Auckland, NZ – Responding to the New Zealand government’s binding referendum on the legalization of marijuana in 2020, the Consumer Choice Center praises the plebiscite that will allow Kiwi voters to finally end marijuana prohibition.
Yaël Ossowski, Deputy Director of the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), said changing New Zealand’s cannabis laws will bring a refreshing change of policy to the Asia-Pacific region.
“New Zealanders believe now is the time to pursue safe and legal regulation of marijuana, whether medical or recreational. The positive examples offered by several U.S. states and Canada lend credence to the idea that this can be done in the interests of both consumers and citizens in a responsible way,” said Ossowski.
“Across the country, there exists a popular sentiment that marijuana is no longer a drug deemed worthy of criminal punishment and police enforcement, and should instead be brought to the legitimate market where appropriate state and local regulation can flush out the black market.
“It’s far past time to end the war on drugs that has proven costly to New Zealand’s legal and court systems, not to mention the thousands of innocent adults who face harsh sentences and penalties for non-violent marijuana offenses,” said Ossowski.
