Referendum
A popular vote or a petition for one.
24 entries, 1972–2026 · 1 moved a score · back to the whole history
World average score and Referendum entries per decade
13.2 today, from 99.1 in 1860
World average score, every country counted the same Entries that moved a score Context only
No entries for the chosen countries here.
20262 entries0 score changes
🇦🇺 Australia Debate ✓
A Victorian bill asks for a vote on legalising cannabis
David Ettershank of Legalise Cannabis Victoria moved the second reading of the Cannabis Legalisation Plebiscite Bill 2026 in the state's Legislative Council. It would require a non-binding plebiscite, held within two years, on legalising cannabis for personal use. Debate was adjourned for two weeks without a vote.
🇫🇮 Finland Debate ✓
Finland's parliament rejects a citizens' initiative to legalise cannabis
Parliament voted 145 to 18 against an initiative that would have legalised the use, possession, home growing, production and sale of cannabis with age limits. The Legal Affairs Committee had advised rejection, saying a legal market could raise consumption and harm across the population. Two members, from the Greens and the Left Alliance, dissented.
20253 entries0 score changes
🇸🇮 Slovenia Debate ✓
Two Slovenian coalition parties table a personal-use bill
The Freedom Movement and the Left submitted a bill to carry out the 2024 referendum: four plants per adult and six per household, 7 g in public and 150 g at home, unpaid sharing of small amounts, and no sales. The Social Democrats had not endorsed it and it has not been enacted.
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands Debate ✓
Cayman’s premier asks for cannabis limits and penalty options
Premier André Ebanks told Parliament that small-scale cannabis reform would be referred to the Law Reform Commission after voters backed decriminalisation. He asked for recommendations on possession limits, administrative penalties, enforcement, international obligations and the protection of vulnerable people. The commission’s later discussion paper dates Cabinet’s referral to the same day and opened those questions to public consultation in July 2026.
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands Debate ✓
Cayman voters back decriminalising small amounts of cannabis
Cayman voters backed decriminalising the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis in the referendum held on 30 April 2025. Premier André Ebanks later told Parliament that 55.64% supported the proposal and promised a Law Reform Commission review of possession limits, penalties and safeguards. The commission opened public consultation in July 2026, with possession and consumption still criminal offences under the existing law.
20242 entries0 score changes
🇨🇷 Costa Rica Debate ✓
Costa Rica's top court blocks a recreational cannabis bill
The Constitutional Chamber ruled that the government's bill to regulate recreational cannabis, file 23.383, was unconstitutional because it conflicts with the three UN drug conventions, which rank above domestic law. The electoral tribunal had asked after a citizen sought to put the bill to a referendum. The bill could go forward only if Costa Rica left the conventions.
🇸🇮 Slovenia Debate ✓
Slovenians vote for legal cannabis
In two advisory referendums, 66% backed growing cannabis for medical use and 51.6% backed growing and possessing it for personal use. The governing coalition later drafted a personal-use bill, which is still before parliament.
20222 entries0 score changes
🇧🇿 Belize Debate ✓
Belize puts its cannabis legalisation law on hold
The National Assembly had passed the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, which awaited the Governor General's signature, when the Council of Churches gathered the 20,000 signatures needed to force a referendum. Prime Minister John Briceño deferred the vote until further notice, citing its cost of 5 million dollars and banks' fears for their links with US banks. The bill was to be amended so that it could become law only after a referendum.
🇮🇹 Italy Debate ✓ Article
Italy's Constitutional Court blocks a legalisation referendum
More than 600,000 people had signed for a vote on decriminalising home growing. The court ruled the question inadmissible because it would also have touched hard drugs and Italy's treaty obligations.
20201 entry0 score changes
20191 entry0 score changes
20142 entries0 score changes
🇻🇮 US Virgin Islands Debate ✓
US Virgin Islands voters back legislation for medical cannabis
Voters supported asking the legislature to consider licensing and regulating medical cannabis patients, caregivers, growers and distribution centres, with 56.5% in favour. The later medical-cannabis bill cited the referendum as a reason to protect patients and regulate supply. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. signed that programme into law in January 2019.
🇬🇺 Guam Medical ✓ Article
Guam voters approve cannabis for patients with serious illnesses
Guam voters approved medical cannabis with 56.48% voting yes. The law protected qualifying patients and caregivers with medical certification and registration, and directed health officials to create rules for local production and distribution. Patients later gained a home-cultivation permit route in 2018 while dispensaries remained unavailable.