Vote Yes On Our Terms - NZ Drug Foundation

Vote Yes On Our Terms - NZ Drug Foundation

Project 2020-06-02 15:33:08 +1200

On 19 September, we have the opportunity to make cannabis legal by voting “Yes” on the Cannabis Control Referendum. What we’re really voting for is to do this our way and on New Zealand’s terms. Terms that we all feel make sense for us, for our nation. Terms that place strong public health controls over cannabis in a way that protects us, especially our families, communities and young people.

What the vote boils down to is being willing to treat cannabis use as a health issue, and better protecting anyone who uses cannabis from harm. This vote gives us the chance to put health and wellbeing first and make failed prohibition a relic of history.

We can win this referendum by reinforcing that the referendum is about putting public health controls in place over cannabis, by informing voters about the key benefits of the legal regulation, and by reassuring people that young New Zealanders will be better protected under regulations than they are under prohibition.

This referendum will be won by persuading people sitting on the fence that voting yes is choosing control and protection.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation’s “Vote Yes On Our Terms” advertising campaign speaks to these undecided voters.

We only get one change at winning this. Right now , the result stands on a knife edge. Without your pledge we face the very real prospect of losing the referendum. This would be a serious setback for public health-focused drug law that would take years to bounce back from.

The campaign, which we only launched in June, has already reached over 1 million voters There is still an enormous amount more to do to keep our message in front of the 1.5 million voters we need to win.

A pledge to our campaign is the only way we will reach the number of voters we need with our campaign information. 

Reliable, factual information can change peoples’ minds. We know that is the case when it comes to views on cannabis legalislation. In one poll, when undecided voters were told more about the controls in the proposed law, they moved towards supporting a “yes” vote. People are clearly hungry for the detail. 

This is why your support is so essential. As well as giving, for a reward or not, there are other things which are essential for winning this fight. Check the list below, or jump online: onouterms.org.nz  

With your pledge we will win. 

In the absence of a strong case for Yes, New Zealanders will only hear a very loud case for no. 

A visible, high profile campaign is the only way we will win. That’s where Vote Yes - On Our Terms comes in. And the only way we can make it succeed is backing by New Zealanders who share our goal of a fair and equitable future. 

Recent polls still show there is a still a very large group of undecided and pursuable voters. But polls show things are very fluid and a ‘no’ vote is often shown to be leading.

The voting block most likely to benefit from legalisation are young people. They are more likely to try or use cannabis than the rest of the population. They are also more likely to become ensnared in a punitive response either at school or through the courts. However, this is the segment of the population that is least likely to vote. 

Getting out the vote will be important. But perhaps even more so we’ve got to encourage our mums, dads, aunties, grandmothers and wider whānau to vote in the best interests of the young people in their lives. 

On Our Terms campaign aims to do this by:

- Filling the information gaps with facts and positive reasons for change

- Supporting people to have conversations about why they will Vote Yes.

Our campaign has officially launched. Video ads and infographics are being shared on social media, and our ads are running on TV. We’ve definitely made an impact. However, it’s only the beginning and we need to keep up the momentum. Outdoor advertising, more TV ads, fliers and more are planned, plus more detailed factsheets are all in the pipeline.  

Help us get our winning message to 1.5 million voters.

Who is on board?

It’s a big goal, but we can do it. The Drug Foundation has been at the forefront of major alcohol and other drug policy debates for over 30 years, advocating for policies and practices based on the best evidence available. 

Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to be free from drug harm. We recognise drugs, legal and illegal, are a part of everyday life experience, so we are safety focused and take a harm reduction approach in all our work.

Already thousands of New Zealanders are backing our campaign, and we’ve got support from a wide cross spectrum of people working in public health, law, alcohol and other drug treatment, community and related fields.

How you can help

You can be part of historic change in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pease help us by:

- Pledging on this campaign! 

- Ask your friends and family to pledge too

- Add another reward to our list (or contribute in other ways – email us) 

- Talk constantly about why you’ll vote yes and how to find On Our Terms

- Enrol, and remember to Vote Yes in September. 

Why Legalise?

- Tax revenue will go toward drug treatment and education

- It will free up police time to focus on serious crime

- Increased access for those who use cannabis for medical treatment

- Cannabis will remain strictly illegal for anyone under 20 years old

- Potency levels will be limited for safety

- Sales restricted to licensed premises

- No consumption in public spaces

- Plain packaging and clear warning labels, with zero advertising.

The Drug Foundation is a registered charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005 (No. CC27025). 

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