With the COVID-19 pandemic set to see more state governments in the US contemplate legalising personal use cannabis to
boost tax revenue and help restore balance sheets, our Government’s draft Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill could
gain further support from Kiwi voters who believe prohibition has failed, says Paul Manning, Chief Executive of Helius
Therapeutics.
“Our Parliament has just approved a $52 billion funding envelope for the current crisis. However, with the tax take
falling, accessing new revenue sources will be more important than ever. For many states in the US, tax revenue from
legalising cannabis is significant, with the likes of Colorado raising hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The
prospect of our Government taking control of the black market and redirecting revenue back into the health sector, looks
increasingly attractive,” he says.
Mr Manning’s comments come as an independent survey of nearly 2,000 New Zealanders has revealed 83% don’t believe the
prohibition of personal cannabis use is working, and 72% say having controls for growing and selling cannabis for
personal use would be better for society.
The large public survey has also revealed 54% of New Zealanders would vote for legalising the personal use of cannabis
in September’s referendum when the previous ‘no opinion’ option is removed. Those against sit at 45%, with 1% refusing
to answer the question.
The late February survey of 1,986 adult New Zealanders marks the fifth in a series of comprehensive surveys tracking
nationwide opinion on cannabis law reform. Commissioned by New Zealand’s largest medicinal cannabis company, Helius
Therapeutics, the five consecutive surveys have been conducted by Horizon Research.
Referendum support
Forcing a yes or no response has the latest survey once again showing majority support for legalisation – up six points
from 48% in November. In August support was recorded at 39%; April last year support was at 52%, while in November 2018
it was at 60%.
Mr Manning says, given it’s just six months until the General Election, it was timely to force survey respondents into a
yes or no position on the personal use cannabis referendum.
“Other opinion polls are still giving people a ‘don’t know’ or ‘no opinion’ option which suppresses the numbers and
allows people to sit on the fence – a luxury they won’t have in the ballot booth.”
He says there’s general acceptance that polls on this issue will continue to move around, but notably this is the first
time since November 2018, in this series of tracking polls, a majority of all age groups between 18 and 64 years say
they will vote for legalisation and control.
“Support has climbed back up over the past six months. This referendum may be closer than most pundits probably think,
with party turn-out critical and messaging also set to play an important role in the end result,” says Mr Manning
Horizon’s tracking of public opinion on the referendum over the past 15 months makes it the most significant series of
surveys on the issue. However, for the first time, two questions about whether prohibition is working to limit the
availability and use of cannabis, and whether controls would deliver a better outcome for society, have been asked.
Cannabis prohibition
On the question as to whether the prohibition of cannabis for personal use was working in New Zealand, a staggering 83%
said no, 14% said yes, and 4% gave no response.
The overwhelming view that prohibition is not working was stronger among middle-aged and older New Zealanders. Likewise,
the support for controls over growing and selling cannabis for personal use strengthened in older age groups.
Nearly three-quarters, 72%, of respondents believed controls would deliver a better outcome, 26% supported continuing
with no controls, and 2% didn’t give a response.
“Kiwis have clearly spoken. They are unified in their belief that prohibition is failing, and controls would be
preferable. However, this survey also highlights a real paradox. Older and conservative Kiwis, in particular, openly
accept cannabis is widely available and controls would be better, but they don’t want a bar of the referendum which
would trigger the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill. It begs the question, what do they want?”
He says the survey shows the polarising issue remains mostly a partisan political one, but this latest confirmation of
societal failure may just prompt many to rethink.
For National voters 82% say prohibition is not working, 79% believe controls would deliver a better outcome but only 27%
will vote to legalise cannabis for personal use; for New Zealand First voters 89% say prohibition is not working, 79%
believe controls would be better but 46% will vote to legalise; for Act voters 89% percent believe prohibition is not
working, 71% believe controls would be better but 45% will vote to legalise; for Labour voters 90% believe prohibition
is not working, 80% believe controls would be better but 64% will vote to legalise; and for Greens voters 98% believe
prohibition is not working, 66% believe controls would be better and 78% will vote to legalise.
“Over the next six months, Kiwis need to consider who they ultimately want to control the cannabis market. It’s either
gangs or government. Through regulation you can ensure product quality, a safer environment for Kiwis, and significant
tax revenue for healthcare,” he says.
Mr Manning says the latest survey highlights to referendum proponents that not only do they need to get younger, liberal
people voting, but they should talk less along the lines of ‘freeing the weed’ and more about the benefits of
introducing regulatory control and hitting the gangs where it hurts.
“It’s too early to call which way this will land. What we do know is that most of us agree, prohibition isn’t working.
The answer may well be control through regulation, and that’s what proponents should focus on. This is key to the
referendum passing, along with the turn-out of younger voters,” says Mr Manning.
Commissioned by Helius Therapeutics and carried out independently by Horizon Research, the results are from of a series
of nationwide online surveys of adults representing the 18+ population at the last census. The most recent survey of
1,986 respondents was conducted between 21 to 26 February 2020. Respondents were members of Horizon’s national panels
and a third-party nationwide research panel. Results are weighted by age, gender and party voted for at the 2017 general
election. At a 95% confidence level, the maximum margin of error is ±2.2%.
Key results:
Question: Currently, producing cannabis for personal or non-prescription use is prohibited in New Zealand, with the
intention of limiting its availability and use. Do you think prohibition of cannabis is working in New Zealand society?
All respondents:
• 14% - Yes, cannabis is hard to access and rarely used in New Zealand society.
• 83% - No, cannabis is available and used by many New Zealanders.
• 4% - No response given.
Question: Currently, growing cannabis for personal use is prohibited in New Zealand. Which one of the following options
do you think will have a better outcome for New Zealand society?
All respondents:
• 26% - Continuing with no controls over growing and selling personal use.
• 72% - Controls over growing and selling personal use.
• 2% - No response given.
Question: At this time, do you think you will vote for or against legalising cannabis for personal use in New Zealand?
All respondents:
• 54% - for
• 45% - against
• 1% - no response
SEX:
Male – 53% for
Female – 55% for
Age Group:
• 18 – 24 years: 62% for
• 25 – 34 years: 67% for
• 35 – 44 years: 61% for
• 45 – 54 years: 57% for
• 55 – 64 years: 54% for
• 65 – 74 years: 37% for
• 75yrs or over: 24% for
Party Vote 2017:
• ACT: 45% for / 55% against
• Green: 78% for / 21% against
• Labour: 64% for / 35% against
• National: 27% for / 72% against
• NZ First: 46% for / 54% against
About Helius Therapeutics
Helius is a New Zealand-owned biotechnology company focused on medicinal cannabis research and development. We are the
country’s largest licensed producer and the first medicinal cannabis cultivator to be certified as New Zealand Grown
through Buy NZ Made Campaign. The company is building a state-of-the-art facility in Auckland with indoor controlled
growing systems, integrated extraction site, an advanced cannabinoid research laboratory and manufacturing operations.
As New Zealand’s regulatory environment changes, Helius is poised to set the standard for effective and accessible
medicinal cannabis products in New Zealand.