Press Releases

Viewing by tag: prohibition harms

  • Medical cannabis laws associated with fewer suicides

    posted on the February 25th, 2012 by Chris

    “Policymakers weighing the pros and cons of legalization should consider… that (these) laws may lead to fewer suicides among young adult males” New Zealand has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world – especially for young males. We also have the highest rate of cannabis arrests in the world, with police spending [...]

  • Aussie Gangs and Drugs – Prohibition is Great for Business & Increasing Violence

    posted on the January 29th, 2011 by norml

    Aussie biker gangs like the Rebels gain power through violence and trafficking in illegal drugs; that means prohibition is great for business and will only help them get a stake established more quickly in New Zealand. “It isn’t surprising that a gang like the Rebels is looking at starting an operation here,” says NORML President [...]

  • Restore Public Trust in Police – Stop Criminalising Cannabis

    posted on the January 20th, 2011 by norml

    The New Zealand public needs to have its confidence restored in the police and the quickest way for that to happen is to stop criminalising cannabis. “The announcement this week of Police Commissioner Rob Pope’s resignation signals a healthy change in the nature of Police culture,” said NORML NZ President Stephen McIntyre today. “But over [...]

  • New Police Policy of ‘Two Strikes’ Will Hit Maori Hard

    posted on the December 13th, 2010 by norml

    NORML NZ says a new police programme whereby first-time offenders caught committing minor crimes are being let off with a warning will hit young male Maori hard, calling it a policy of ‘two strikes and you’re out’. “We already know that Maori in general, but young male Maori in particular, are more likely to be [...]

  • John Key is right: pipe ban is unworkable

    posted on the November 30th, 2010 by norml

    “Prime Minister John Key is right to not support the banning of pipes and vapourisers,” says NORML NZ President, Stephen McIntyre. “He acknowledges that these devices can be used for “genuine and practical reasons”, making a ban unpopular and unworkable.” On RNZ Morning Report today, John Key said: “While people use those implements for the [...]

  • Prohibition of cannabis counter-productive

    posted on the October 7th, 2010 by Chris

    The International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP) today released a new research report that demonstrates the clear failure of U.S. marijuana prohibition and supports calls for evidence-based models to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis. The British Medical Journal, one of the world’s most influential medical journals, published a supportive commentary to [...]

  • The Cannabis Magazine They Tried To Ban – Is Back!

    posted on the August 15th, 2010 by Chris

    Cannabis law reform magazine Norml News, which both Police and Internal Affairs recently tried to ban, has just released its Winter/Spring 2010 issue, including revelations about how and why the magazine nearly got permanently suppressed. “Immediately prior to the Operation Lime raids in April, police went to the Dept of Internal Affairs and discussed the [...]