Vote 2020: Waikato voters set to take part in two referendums

The referendums' preliminary results will be released on October 30. Photo / Bevan Conley

While all eyes will be on who will be leading the country over the next three years on October 17, voters will also be waiting for October 30 when the preliminary referendum results will be released on the End of Life Choice Act, and the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill referendum.

The cannabis legislation sets out a way for the government to control and regulate cannabis. This regulatory model covers how people can produce, supply, or consume cannabis.

The bill's main purpose is to reduce cannabis-related harm to individuals, families/whānau and communities.

The bill would still need to be passed by the next government if over 50 per cent of voters vote "Yes". A new poll released by the Helen Clark Foundation and the New Zealand Drug Foundation on Tuesday showed 49 per cent of respondents support the legislation, while 45 per cent oppose it.

When those who responded "unsure" were asked which way they were leaning, a further 2 per cent leaned in favour of voting for legalising recreational use of cannabis.

The results differ with a recent Colmar Brunton poll, released on September 26, which showed support for the legislation was going up in smoke.

TVNZ's Colmar Brunton poll saw just 35 per cent of respondents saying they supported the bill, with 53 per cent of respondents opposed.

And the latest Newshub Reid-Research, released six days ago, showed just 37.9 per cent of responders in favour of the legislation, compared to the 50.5 per cent against it.

The UMR poll, released on Tuesday, shows National supporters and respondents over the age of 60 were less likely to say they would vote in favour of legalising cannabis, at 26 per cent and 33 per cent.

The End of Life Choice Act is the second referendum voters will get the chance to decide on. The act gives people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying.
Having previously voted against it twice, Parliament has now backed the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia and handed the final decision over to the public.

Public support for voluntary euthanasia has been consistently strong for the past 20 years, with most polls between 60 and 70 per cent in favour.

But legalisation would still be a radical act in international terms.

The act will only come into force if more than 50 per cent of voters in the referendum vote "Yes".

The Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill

■ The bill legalises restricted access to cannabis.
■ The bill would allow people to possess and consume cannabis in limited circumstances.
■ A person aged 20 or over would be able to:
• buy up to 14 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) per day only from licensed outlets
• enter licensed premises where cannabis is sold or consumed
• consume cannabis on private property or at licensed premises
• grow up to two plants, with a maximum of four plants per household
• share up to 14 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) with another person aged 20 or over.

The End of Life Choice Act

■ The person would have to be 18 years or older.
■ A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and suffer from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months.
■ The person will need to be in "an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability", experience unbearable suffering "that cannot be relieved in a manner they consider tolerable", and be competent to make an informed decision about dying.
■ The law also explicitly says a person cannot be eligible for euthanasia on the basis of age, mental illness, or disability alone.