Why did NZ's cannabis referendum fail?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-03-08 03:00

New Zealand

What does this mean?

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Campaigning based on persuasion and ‘cherry-picking’ of research – rather than assessing the full evidence and knowledge gaps – is one possible reason for the narrow defeat, say Massey University researchers. The Labour Party’s neutral stance may have also influenced the outcome. New Zealand’s referendum highlights the difficulties in attempting a public vote on cannabis law reform.