FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

48 regional locations to make services accessible. WV lawmakers should enhance, not eliminate needle exchange programs to reduce community-wide harms associated with drug use. They should do so based on evidence and best practices, not emotion and isolated incidents. Douglas Anderson is a professional healthcare administrator with 30+ years of military experience, education, and consulting. His focus is on helping communities integrate social services with healthcare delivery systems. He is co-author of Health Systems Thinking: A Primer. He can be contacted at douglas.e.anderson57@gmail.com D. Anderson Martinsburg, The Journal (2/2/20) New Zealand L EGALISING CANNABIS : W HAT WILL N EW Z EALANDERS BE ASKED TO VOTE ON IN S EPTEMBER ? ore than 50% of voters must say yes to the proposed changes for parliament to consider the changes September’s national election whether they want to pass a bill that would legalise cannabis and regulate how it is used and sold. This will include producing and selling fresh and dried cannabis, including plants and seeds – for people over 20 years old. The change would impose more stringent restrictions than the rules around sales of alcohol and tobacco. What are the key points of the proposed changes?  Those under 20 caught with cannabis would not be convicted but would instead receive a ‘health- based’ response, such as a fine or education. Those selling to under 20s would face jail time.  Cannabis use would be restricted to private residences or licensed premises, such as specialist cannabis stores.  People would be able to buy 14 grams of cannabis a day – something New Zealand’s main opposition party has previously decried as too much – with a THC content of up to 15%, which even New Zealand’s pro-legalisation Drug Foundation says is probably too much. The stronger the product, the higher the taxes that will be applied to it. M