<P> The use of cannabis in New Zealand is governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which makes unauthorised possession of any amount of cannabis illegal . There are political efforts to remove penalties on its use for those over 18 years of age . In October 2017, following the ascension of a Labour / Green / New Zealand First coalition to government, the Greens announced a nationwide referendum of the legality of cannabis for both medical and personal use . </P> <P> Cannabis is the fourth most widely used recreational drug in New Zealand, after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, and the most widely used illegal drug . In the population of more than 4 million, 13.4% of those between the ages of 16--64 use cannabis . This ranks as the ninth highest cannabis consumption level in the world . </P>

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