#policynz — Public Fediverse posts

NZ has Citizens Initiated Referenda, but they hardly ever get used and even when they are, the results just get ignored by governments. Maybe Citizens Initiated Assemblies would be more functional?

If enough citizens signed a petition on a question, the government would be obliged to commission a citizens' assemblies on it. Unlike a CIR, the legislation could require carefully specifying the question, and make the outcome binding on the government.

#PolicyNZ #CIR #CitizensAssemblies

Any political parties in Aotearoa developing a detailed policy on using binding Citizen's Assemblies, to evaluate evidence and produce nonpartisan policy on polarising issues that require government action? If they can work anywhere, they can work here.

#CitizensAssemblies #PolicyNZ

During the 2023 election senior Labour figures were saying they would consider decriminalising personal use of *all* drugs, like in Portugal;

https://norml.org.nz/tokethevote-2023-your-cannabis-based-voting-guide/

I want to see them making a firm commitment to that for 2026. Including allowing production for personal use.

Then we can finally move on to a public debate about how to regulate supply of each drug, on its own terms. Based on the evidence available, and what's likely to minimise harm.

#PolicyNZ #DrugLawReform