New Zealanders to vote on legalizing cannabis and euthanasia

Prime minister supports assisted-suicide bill but silent on pot question

20201013N NZ Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seeks a second term in the Oct. 17 election. © AP

FUMI MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- New Zealanders will vote on whether to legalize medically assisted suicide and recreational use of cannabis alongside Friday's general election, controversial questions that are rarely put to voters in this form.

The cannabis referendum asks whether parliament should proceed with a bill allowing consumption of cannabis for nonmedical purposes under certain conditions. New Zealand already allows medicinal use of cannabis.

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