networkn:

 

Suggesting that I am in anyway saying the current state of affairs is perfect is ridiculous and a gross misrepresentation of the statements I have made, including those which state outright, that the current situation isn't good enough, and one of my issues with voting no, is that we will abandon solving the issues that are currently faced. I fully support actions which will meaningfully solve some of the issues that are currently a problem, but that I don't feel the current bill/legalization proposal will actually solve many if any, and that the proposed pros of this bill will actually ever eventuate.

 

I am frustrated that the Greens have yet again made this a all or nothing situation, as they often do with issues. This is extremely offputting behaviour and one of the reasons I think they are important for the country, but only in smallish doses.

 

I really hope, that if this does not pass, that whoever is in Government, does not take this as a signal to abandon the issue entirely, but instead continues to work on alternative ways to solve the issues that exist today.

 

Anyways, I don't think there is much more to be said, so I am going to opt out here, as these threads do tend to devolve over time.

 

 

 

I am not suggesting that you think the status quo is perfect. I was making a general statement to illustrate a point. I know you don't think the current situation is acceptable, and your main complaint is about the binary choice being presented. And I fully agree with the hope that if the referendum fails, that the issue won't just be swept under the carpet. 

We don't disagree on this. If forced to choose one or the other, you lean towards keeping things as they are rather than risk an experiment with an uncertain outcome. I just believe that the outcome would not be that drastic in any case, and change is better than not. But I wish there had also been a choice for decriminalisation. I would have still gone for legalisation, but it is a step in the right direction.