New Zealanders voted on the issues in two referendums this month, while voting in a general election that fired Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Labor Party from power
With around 83% of the votes counted, New Zealanders strongly approved the euthanasia measure, with 65% for and 34% against
The euthanasia measure, which would also allow assisted suicide, would apply to people with a terminal illness, likely to die within six months and enduring « unbearable » suffering
Support for euthanasia has been high for about two decades, according to Lara Greaves of the University of Auckland
« We have seen political polls over the past 10 or 20 years showing a high level of support for euthanasia and the choice of end of life law, » she said
« To get the bill ready to go, it will soon enter into force [this] process »
The ‘no’ vote on marijuana was much closer, with 53% voting against legalization and 46% in favor
That leaves a small chance that the measure will pass again once all the special votes are counted next week, although it would require a huge swing
In previous elections, special votes – which include those cast by foreign voters – tended to be more liberal than general votes
Marijuana measure would allow people to buy up to 14 grams of the drug per day and grow two plants
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Cannabis, referendum, New Zealand referendum on cannabis, End of Life Choice Act 2019
News from around the world – UA – New Zealanders vote to legalize euthanasia but appear willing to reject the recreational use of marijuana
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com