Cannaus
  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Cannaus

Data shows the majority of Kiwi’s who voted against cannabis legalisation are over 50

5 years ago
in International
0
Cannabis flower up close

Cannabis flower up close

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Post-referendum data from New Zealand has shown that the majority of Kiwi’s who voted “no” in the cannabis referendum are over the age of 50.

The final results of New Zealand’s cannabis referendum were announced in early November. Once the special votes were counted, 48.4% of voters voted “Yes” to passing the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill, while 50.7% voted “No”. 

While we may never get an age breakdown of the referendum results, a post-vote survey asked 25,384 Kiwi’s how they voted. The survey showed a pretty interesting trend: the older you are, the lower the chances you voted to legalise cannabis. 

Votes for cannabis were lowest among retirees, with only 29% of New Zealanders aged over the age of 65 voting “Yes”. For people between the ages of 50 and 64, only 42% voted “Yes”, while 52% of people aged 40 to 49 voted “Yes”. 

For younger generations, the majority of voters supported cannabis legalisation, as you can see in the graph below. 

But what does this mean for New Zealand? 

While the New Zealand government has made it clear they wanted the public to decide whether the cannabis industry should become legal, public opinion will likely shift in the next few years. 

To be blunt – the cannabis reform campaign will likely outlive its opponents. 

Statistics from the 2018 New Zealand census show that 15.2% of the population is aged over 65. The average life expectancy for Kiwi’s is 81 years for men and 84 years for women. 

This means that if the country were to hold the vote again, the results would likely change, as the referendum results were only separated by 67,662 votes. 

It’s also possible New Zealand will decriminalise cannabis. Although the referendum didn’t give people a decriminalisation option, research by NORML shows the majority of New Zealanders have supported decriminalisation since 2016.

In a statement earlier this month, NORMAL New Zealand’s spokesperson Chris Fowlie wrote:

Almost everyone accepts prohibition does not work. Even if this particular bill is dead, reform is still on the agenda.

Although the fight for cannabis reform has taken a hit in New Zealand, drug law reform is still in Australia’s future. Click here for seven reasons Australia should legalise cannabis. 

Tags: Legalisation
Share7Tweet4
Karie Cornell

Karie Cornell

Based in Victoria, Karie's passionate about pro-cannabis legislation in Australia. She joined Cannaus to share and bring awareness to the latest cannabis news across Australia.

Related Posts

Thailand flag over a cannabis flower
International

Thailand to become first Southeast Asian country to decriminalise cannabis

January 21, 2022
Cannabis plant under a light
International

New study finds whole-plant cannabis can reduce seizures in children by 86%

December 17, 2021
Malta flag
International

Malta votes to legalise cannabis possession in historic move

December 15, 2021
Worlds largest cannabis brownie
International

US company bakes “World’s Largest Cannabis Brownie” at 385kg

December 10, 2021
Jamaican flag
International

Jamaican government launches campaign to correct anti-cannabis stigma

December 9, 2021
Cannabis and person working on laptop
International

Cannabis capitalism: research shows cannabis legalisation increases employment

December 8, 2021
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Disclaimer
Cannaus does not recommend that anyone uses cannabis for medical or adult use purposes unless consulted by a medical professional. Cannabis is a drug and may have negative side effects. Please consult with your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.

  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address

Thanks, I’m not interested

wpDiscuz