As well as the general election, in October Kiwis will also be asked to vote in two referendums: one on the legalisation of cannabis, and the other the end of life choice act, which would give people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying.

Voting in the two referendums is optional. You can vote in one, both or neither. The official results of the referendums will not make anything legal right away. If either or both of the referendums get more than 50 per cent of votes supporting them, a bill will go to a select committee, during which stage the public can give their feedback on the bill. 

Select committees usually have six months to gather information and prepare a report on a bill for the house. Then, there will be second and third readings, so it’s likely we’ll be waiting until 2021 for actual law changes.

The Cannabis Legislation Bill would allow those over the age of 20 to:

• Buy up to 14 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) per day only from licensed outlets.
• Enter licensed premises where cannabis is sold or consumed.
• Consume cannabis on a private property or at a licensed premise.
• Grow up to two plants, with a maximum of four plants per household.
• Share up to 14 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) with another person aged 20 or over.

Cannabis would only be available to buy from licensed premises, and the consumption of it in public spaces would still be against the law. 

A recent poll of 120 Rodney residents revealed differences of opinions on this cannabis referendum, with 63 voting for yes, and 57 voting for no. Those who voted for yes mostly agreed that the regulation would mean that the substance could be better controlled in New Zealand. Those who voted no thought that the detrimental effects of smoking cannabis would have too great of an effect on people to justify it. 

The End Of Life Choice Act means people with a terminal illness are given the option of assisted death. In the act, 'assisted dying' means:

• a person's doctor or nurse practitioner giving them medication to relieve their suffering by bringing on death; or
• the taking of medication by the person to relieve their suffering by bringing on death.

In the act, 'medication' means a lethal dose of the medication used for assisted dying.

To be able to ask for assisted dying, a person must meet ALL the following criteria. They must:

• be aged 18 years or over
• be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand
• suffer from a terminal illness that's likely to end their life within 6 months
• have significant and ongoing decline in physical capability
• experience unbearable suffering that cannot be eased
• be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying.

A person would not be eligible to ask for assisted dying if the only reason they give is that they are suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness, or have a disability of any kind, or are of advanced age.

Some big questions to ponder until Saturday, 17 October 2020.