What Kiwis can and can't do if cannabis is legalised

Kiwis finally know what they will be voting for in the cannabis referendum - the legislation that will be ready to go after the election has been released.

It sets a potency limit described by cannabis users as "conservative" - and while cannabis-infused gummy bears are out of the question,  you will probably be allowed a brownie. 

On bail for cannabis charges, Dakta Green's 130-days deep into house arrest 

"We've got to stop locking people up. It's silly," he told Newshub. 

Under lockdown the nation's cannabis smokers facing a unique challenge.

"They are really, really missing being able to toke on a joint," says Dakta. 

They may be able to legally smoke in the near future - the Government has just released fresh details about what a cannabis regime would look like -  including setting a limit on the psychoactive substance THC  of 15 percent for dried cannabis. 

That limit was too conservative for users Newshub spoke to - but that might not be a problem.

"If it doesn't suit us it's not like we've been law-abiding citizens for all these years," Dakta told Newshub.

Justice Minister Andrew Little thinks it's about right. 

"It's not the most potent cannabis around but it's not the least potent either," he says. 

The country will vote on whether to legalise recreational cannabis at the September election.

The Government has already committed to an age limit of 20, and a purchasing limit of 14 grams a day. You can only consume in the home or in licenced premises and there's a limit of two home-grown plants per person, four per household 

As well as potency limits, the final Bill released on Friday also regulates what form it takes. Only fresh and dried cannabis will be allowed at first, later followed by extracts and edibles. 

 "Definitely not gummy bears but obviously brownies are a possibility," said Little. 

National is more opposed than ever with MP Paula Bennett saying legalisation will lead to "wasted lives".

"I look at young people who are leading wasted lives, don't excuse the pun, it's deliberate," she told Newshub.

"And I think legalising sends a message that we think it's okay."

There are 200 pages of detail in the referendum but while we know like alcohol, higher potency products will be taxed at a higher rate, and that those taxes will pay for the scheme and for addiction services, we don't know what the tax rate will be - and it's critical to get that right.