New Zealand voted for the legalisation of euthanasia in a referendum and rejected the legalisation of cannabis use and recreational use, the Electoral Commission reported this Friday. In the elections on 17 October, New Zealanders voted in favour of amending the laws on these two aspects: euthanasia and cannabis. As 480,000 votes have not yet been recorded, the official results of the referendum will be made public on 6 November.

With regard to euthanasia, 62.5% of the voters voted in favour of legalisation, compared with 33.8% who voted against. It will become law within twelve months for a person with terminal illness to request a death asistida.Para that the assisted death occurs, two physicians must decide whether the patient is well informed of the matter and verify that all legal criteria are met. This resource can only be used by people with terminal illness and with a life expectancy of less than six months.

On the other hand, the question about the legalization of cannabis has yielded more competitive results, according to data from the New Zealand electoral entity:53.1% versus 46.1% in favor. The proposed legislation to allow the consumption and purchase of cannabis for leisure purposes proposed being at least 20 years old, as well as limited possibilities for growing at home and a public education programme. The rules and limits of commercial supply were also included. However, the question of the referendum was not binding, so the next government will be able, at any time, to take up the matter again.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that she gave her "yes" to the legalisation of cannabis, according to the newspaper 'The Press'.