Mr. Paul Reid:

We highlight in the opening statement that the vast majority of support for the vast majority of our recommendations came from the assembly members. The one with a narrow vote margin was the issue relating to cannabis. We took direct polls and all votes reflected that all drugs should move to a decriminalised approach from the current criminal justice system. It was obvious throughout the debate that the issue of cannabis possession for personal use would be a contentious one. It was contentious throughout the debates, and we are glad we had that debate and had a wide spectrum of views. The voting process throughout all of the votes was led by an international expert on polling and voting, and they worked through every vote. Before every vote it was explained to every person exactly what was on the ballot paper, what was being voted on and how it would be counted. It is a fact that there was a difference of one vote in the vote relating to decriminalisation or legalisation of cannabis use. There was understandable angst among some members who wanted to see their approach adopted and others who felt we took the right approach.