How often do we find that an issue which has overwhelming public support is voted down by the very people we send to parliament to represent us ? The fate of the terminally ill to get medical help to end their lives got exactly that fate in New South Wales by a margin of just one vote.
It is frustrating when party politics gets in the way of issues either getting on the agenda or getting a conscience vote despite opinion polls clearly indicating massive public support. For a long time gay marriage was in legal limbo until the politicians decided to put it to a public vote that settled the matter decisively.
Another issue that is gaining momentum on a world wide basis is the legalization of Cannabis as a recreational drug. It is now legal in Canada and Uruguay and recently Americas biggest and most populous state - California - made it available to their citizens. It seems that Marijuana got swept up in the hysteria to ban drugs when heroin use became a problem many decades ago.
Our tolerance of Marijuana is ever softening. People caught with small amounts now are merely given a warning in most cases and law enforcement goes after the commercial growers. It is thought that if Marijuana was legal it would probably replace the " high " many concert goers crave and now get from dangerous drugs that are causing fatalities.
It seems that New Zealand, our neighbour across the Tasman - has decided that Cannabis is an issue that is best decided by its people. The issue of whether to legalize Cannabis through a simple yes or no vote will take place at the 2020 general election.
The question that will be put to the vote is whether New Zealanders above the age of twenty should be legally able to use and purchase Cannabis for recreational purposes. This would include commercial supply controls, limited home growing options and a public education programme. If - as expected - that vote is in the affirmative, Marijuana will be a legal product across the Tasman.
That raises the spectre of what is happening in America. With a common border, Americans visit Canada and indulge their passion for Marijuana quite legally, but face onerous prison time if they try and bring that product home with them. American Federal laws have not budged an inch on the Marijuana question.
It is obvious that relaxed Cannabis laws in New Zealand will become a good reason for many Australians to visit that country. In fact, many Australians will be angry that New Zealanders have been given a choice that is denied us here to decide by way of a public vote.
There can be no more of a democratic choice than to put such an issue to the people - and let them decide !
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