Official information on the cannabis referendum has sparked a backlash from some quarters. 

People have started to receive pamphlets in the mail regarding the election, including on the cannabis legislation referendum.

The pamphlet has been criticised the ‘Say Nope to Dope’ campaign, which has sought legal advice about some of the wording used.

The line in question reads “the bill’s purpose is to reduce harm to people and communities” – something they say is a highly subjective statement.

However, Chloe Swarbrick, the Green Party's drug reform spokesperson, told Heather du Plessis-Allan that is the purpose of the proposed law.

"The bill's title is Cannabis Legislation and Control, and the purpose, as outlined in the draft bill, is to implement control to increase wellbeing and decrease harm from cannabis in our communities."

She says that the wording was approved and worked on by all parties in Parliament.