National leader Todd Muller signals cannabis legislation will have his support if New Zealand votes 'yes'

National leader Todd Muller says his party will likely support the legalisation of cannabis if New Zealand votes "yes" in the upcoming referendum.

National has previously declined to commit to enacting the result of the non-binding cannabis referendum, which will be voted on in September as part of the 2020 election.

But Muller signalled a softer stance on Tuesday, before his first caucus meeting after ousting Simon Bridges from the leadership, indicating he would legalise cannabis "if the people have spoken" in support.

The bill being proposed by the Labour-led Government would allow cannabis to be consumed, sold, and purchased for recreational use, by people 20 years or older. Personal possession of 14 grams of cannabis, the sale of cannabis edibles, and growing up to four cannabis plants per household would be allowed. 

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The 14-gram limit became subject of political theatre in December, with former National deputy leader Paula Bennett holding up a bag of oregano in the House, decrying the amount as far too high. 

Bridges, who was booted from the leadership by fellow MPs on Friday, was unwilling to directly commit to passing the legislation if it were supported by the public — saying in May 2019 he would not deal with "hypotheticals". 

While Muller said the caucus was yet produce a "finely distilled" perspective, he had a "belief that if the people have spoken, and given a pretty clear steer that they support it, then we need to take very strong cognisance of that, in terms of the legislative changes that will then follow". 

Bennett, who retained the party's drug reform portfolio despite being removed from the deputy leader position on Friday, similarly expressed support for backing the referendum outcome. 

"From my perspective I believe in the will of the people and I believe a referendum should stand if the people have spoken for it.

"I do think it needs to go through a full select committee process if that's what's happening.

"We need to make sure that actually it is the right law and it's right for New Zealander's. I mean, who's going to read the 197-pages of the bill, and actually know what they're voting for? That's the concern."

A cross-party group of MPs, including Bennett, had for months been discussing drug law reform behind the scenes, before the final draft of the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill made public in May. 

The referendum on the prospective law will be "non-binding", meaning it will not come into force if the public votes it through. The bill will have to be progressed through the House in the normal fashion.

A referendum on voluntary euthanasia, or the End of Life Choice bill, that will also be held in September will be binding as Parliament has already progressed it through the House — so the public are being directly asked whether the law should come into effect.

Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick, the party's drug reform spokeswoman, said National would be "daft" to stand in the way of the will of New Zealanders. 

She said there appeared to be more "common-sense liberals" at the helm of the National party now.

"I would hope that there isn't bitter politicking on this," she said.