<p>New Zealanders have voted overwhelmingly to legalise euthanasia, preliminary referendum results released Friday showed, with another vote on allowing recreational cannabis appearing set to fail.</p>.<p>The dual referendums were held on October 17, alongside the general election that returned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to power with a landslide majority.</p>.<p>Preliminary figures showed 65.2 per cent of voters supported euthanasia, with 33.8 against, while 53.1 per cent opposed legalising recreational marijuana, compared to 46.1 in favour.</p>.<p>The initial figures do not include special votes -- including ballots cast overseas -- which account for almost 20 per cent of the total and could still see the cannabis vote go either way.</p>.<p>However, the overwhelming support for euthanasia means the measure will pass, regardless of how the special votes are divided, when final figures are released next Friday.</p>.<p>The result of the euthanasia vote is binding, while the cannabis one is not.</p>.<p>Legislation allowing medically assisted death passed through parliament last year but lawmakers delayed implementing it until the public had its say through a referendum.</p>.<p>Under the law, a mentally sound adult who has a terminal illness likely to kill them within six months and is experiencing "unbearable suffering" can request a fatal dose of medication.</p>.<p>The request needs to be signed off by the patient's physician and an independent doctor, with a psychiatrist called in if either has doubts about the person's ability to make an informed decision.</p>.<p>Justice Minister Andrew Little said it would come into effect in November next year.</p>.<p>Ardern supported the right-to-die bill, saying last year she reluctantly agreed to the referendum because it was the only way to advance the legislation.</p>.<p>She was coy during the election campaign about her stance on recreational cannabis, although the 40-year-old did admit to smoking marijuana "a long time ago".</p>.<p>Ardern's office confirmed Friday she had voted "yes" in both referendums.</p>.<p>She "will progress any legislation in line with the will of the people following the release of the final results next week", a spokeswoman for Ardern said.</p>.<p>Under the proposed cannabis law, anyone aged over 20 could buy up to 14 grams (half an ounce) a day, and households could each grow up to four plants.</p>.<p>Recreational cannabis will remain illegal if the "no" vote is still over 50 per cent next Friday.</p>
<p>New Zealanders have voted overwhelmingly to legalise euthanasia, preliminary referendum results released Friday showed, with another vote on allowing recreational cannabis appearing set to fail.</p>.<p>The dual referendums were held on October 17, alongside the general election that returned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to power with a landslide majority.</p>.<p>Preliminary figures showed 65.2 per cent of voters supported euthanasia, with 33.8 against, while 53.1 per cent opposed legalising recreational marijuana, compared to 46.1 in favour.</p>.<p>The initial figures do not include special votes -- including ballots cast overseas -- which account for almost 20 per cent of the total and could still see the cannabis vote go either way.</p>.<p>However, the overwhelming support for euthanasia means the measure will pass, regardless of how the special votes are divided, when final figures are released next Friday.</p>.<p>The result of the euthanasia vote is binding, while the cannabis one is not.</p>.<p>Legislation allowing medically assisted death passed through parliament last year but lawmakers delayed implementing it until the public had its say through a referendum.</p>.<p>Under the law, a mentally sound adult who has a terminal illness likely to kill them within six months and is experiencing "unbearable suffering" can request a fatal dose of medication.</p>.<p>The request needs to be signed off by the patient's physician and an independent doctor, with a psychiatrist called in if either has doubts about the person's ability to make an informed decision.</p>.<p>Justice Minister Andrew Little said it would come into effect in November next year.</p>.<p>Ardern supported the right-to-die bill, saying last year she reluctantly agreed to the referendum because it was the only way to advance the legislation.</p>.<p>She was coy during the election campaign about her stance on recreational cannabis, although the 40-year-old did admit to smoking marijuana "a long time ago".</p>.<p>Ardern's office confirmed Friday she had voted "yes" in both referendums.</p>.<p>She "will progress any legislation in line with the will of the people following the release of the final results next week", a spokeswoman for Ardern said.</p>.<p>Under the proposed cannabis law, anyone aged over 20 could buy up to 14 grams (half an ounce) a day, and households could each grow up to four plants.</p>.<p>Recreational cannabis will remain illegal if the "no" vote is still over 50 per cent next Friday.</p>