J Day Saturday 6th May – nationwide. Read more here or see our facebook page.
Medical Cannabis Rally & March – Saturday 22nd April Aotea Sq. Auckland. Read more here.
Medicinal cannabis users and allies recently held a rally and march on Auckland’s Queen St, supporting safe legal and affordable access to medicinal cannabis.
Changes announced by Govt will make little difference, says NORML
Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Nelson lawyer Sue Grey is pursuing legal action against the Ministry of Health over the legal status of cannabidiol (CBD). The Ministry of Health, which says CBD is a Class B1 drug that requires special approval from Peter Dunne, is acting unlawfully and ignoring expert advice. CBD is not actually listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act, so it does not require special approval. NORML is supporting this action because sick people are being denied medicine. Read more here.
GIVE-A-LITTLE TO SUPPORT THIS LEGAL CHALLENGE
Help medical advocates attend the North Island GP Conference
Peter Dunne says the problem is with doctors, not him. NORML is here to help! We’re fundraising to have a professional presence at the GP Conference, to educate and inform doctors about medicinal cannabis.
GIVE-A-LITTLE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT or go here for info about our RAFFLE!
Please support these projects – sign and share!
Go here for more things you can do
NORML’s Cannabis Awards – 2016 Winners
NORML New Zealand Inc is pleased to announce the inaugural winners of our new cannabis activism awards:
- The NORML NZ Medicinal Cannabis Breakthrough Award 2016 winner is Rose Renton
- The David Reid Currie Award for a breakthrough in cannabis law, science or communication joint 2016 winners are Rebecca Reider and Sue Grey
NORML extends it’s thanks and congratulations to our winners, everyone who was nominated, and all the unsung heroes of the cannabis law reform movement. Read more here.
Polls confirm most NZers want cannabis law reform
Support for cannabis law reform continues to increase, with the latest UMR poll showing overwhelming support for medicinal cannabis law change – and the lowest level of opposition (12%) ever recorded in a New Zealand cannabis poll. A Drug Foundation-Curia poll in August 2016 also found two-thirds of Kiwis want to end criminal penalties for cannabis possession, and up to 82% support for medical use. Other recent polls include a TVNZ poll (12 April 2016) showing “the majority of New Zealanders are now in favour of the use of medical marijuana”; UMR poll (31 March 2016) showing 72% “support the use of marijuana for medical purposes” with only 13% opposed. Read more NZ cannabis opinion polls here.
Medicinal cannabis – what you need to know
Check out our section on medicinal cannabis. NORML is New Zealand’s oldest law reform organisation, and one of our three primary goals is to facilitate safe legal access for patients using cannabis medicinally. There are currently two petitions before parliament:
- It’s Medicine (Rose Renton) – “New Zealanders urgently need access to safe, affordable, quality medicinal cannabis…” This has been presented to the Health Select Committee by West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O’Connor.
- Otamatea Grey Power Inc – “Re-legalise growing small quantities of cannabis for health benefits.” This has been presented to the Justice Select Committee by Northland MP Winston Peters.
Action Station is also now promoting a petition for medicinal cannabis:
We also recommend you support this Pledge Me campaign:
How to bring medicinal cannabis into New Zealand, legally
As Australia prepares to approve medicinal cannabis products, an important legal case has confirmed patients can bring a one-month supply from any country where it has been legally supplied. Rebecca Reider has written a guide explaining how to bring medicinal cannabis into New Zealand, legally – UPDATED DEC 2016.
Cannabis Utensils law review
Bongs, pipes and vaporisers reduce harm from smoking, but have been banned for sale in New Zealand since 1999. Submissions are open now on a proposed law change. A new NZ Ministry of Health discussion document proposes amending current laws and regulations to reduce the impact of criminality and to control the availability of drug utensils including cannabis bongs, pipes and vaporisers. Have your say here, by Tuesday 20 September 2016.
Grow weed? Do this anonymous survey
Courts, police, prosecutors, the media and the general public often have highly unrealistic views of cannabis, which means cannabis growers are often charged (and convicted) for excessive amounts and inflated values. Now you can help. NORML has teamed up with Massey University for this anonymous online survey. It takes 15-30 minutes and may help restore some sanity to our courts.
Go to Safer.org.nz to help legalise cannabis
E-Mail your MP at www.Safer.org.nz
Safer.org.nz is NORML’s new platform to allow New Zealanders who support cannabis law reform to easily and quickly email their MP, any other MP or all MPs! Help end cannabis prohibition in New Zealand: go to Safer.org.nz now!
Cannabis in New Zealand
Cannabis is the third most popular recreational drug in New Zealand (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 2 million Kiwis. According to government surveys, around 540,000 New Zealanders smoke pot regularly, while 70,000 light up every day despite harsh laws against its use. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it. NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalise the responsible use of cannabis by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality cannabis that is safe, convenient and affordable.
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
NORML has adopted three campaign themes that have widespread support:
- Cannabis should be a Health Issue, not a Crime!
(focus resources on problematic abuse. Let the police focus on crime that matters) - Allow Safe Legal Access to Medicine
(access to medicinal cannabis, similar to 26 states in the USA, Israel, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Canada etc) - A Regulated, Taxable Market for Low-Risk Drugs Such As Cannabis
(access to low-risk drugs like cannabis should be regulated via an adults-only, taxable market similar to that in the Netherlands, Uruguay or 8 US states)
Help us end prohibition now!
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National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc. (Est. 1980)
