Cannabis Referendum Coalition and NORML AGM double-header! Friday 9 and Saturday 10 November 2018 at the James Cook Hotel, Wellington. See our facebook event page for more information or grab your tickets on Eventfinder.co.nz. Contact us directly for discounts for groups, students, financial hardship or those travelling long distances. See you there!
The cannabis referendum may now be binding – as NORML predicted last year. National has said it will now implement the result. NZ First and the Greens also want it to be binding. Tell your MP: #MakeItLegal. See www.makeitlegal.nz or facebook for more information or to join the campaign.
Parliament’s health select committee has considered submissions on the Government’s Medicinal Cannabis Bill and recommended changes that are welcome but many patients say do not go far enough. The National Party now says it will oppose the bill and submit their own bill. NORML says “Do what is best for patients, not politics.”
MPs are considering the Government bill as a new poll shows increased support for all options:
- NZ Drug Foundation: New survey results show legal cannabis a real possibility
- NZ Herald: New poll shows big jump in support for cannabis reform, especially for medicinal use
- Stuff: Growing number of Kiwis want cannabis law reform
- Newshub: Support for legalising cannabis getting higher – NZ Drug Foundation
- TVNZ: Ninety per cent of New Zealanders support decriminalisation of medical cannabis, says Drug Foundation
NORML says the Government’s Bill is a step in the right direction but a patient-focused approach would go further, and asks What would Helen Kelly do? Check out NORML’s 4-point model for patient-focused policy. Read NORML’s guide to writing an effective submission.
The 27th annual J Day was Saturday 5th May 2018. Event page | campaign page
Stop the arrests! After 90 years of prohibition, we’re calling for a Cannabis Armistice. Come to our “Pots for Patients” joint NORML-APG rally, Saturday 4th August, Queen St in Auckland.
Finalists announced for the 2017 NORML Awards.
New Govt to hold referendum on legalising cannabis by 2020.
Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis.
Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)
New regulations for cannabidiol take effect from 7 September 2017. CBD will remain a controlled drug however restrictions be lifted so that GPs and other doctors can prescribe CBD to patients without needing special approval.
- Full text of Peter Dunne’s announcement
- NORML’s guide to the legal status of Cannabidiol
- Cannabidiol to remain a controlled drug: here’s what is changing
- Changes announced by Govt will make little difference, says NORML
- Specialists to prescribe medicinal cannabis products under Govt proposal
NZ Drug Foundation releases “Whakawātea te Huarahi – A model drug law to 2020 and beyond” [Download PDF]. What do you think?
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NORML’s Cannabis Awards – 2017 nominations now open!
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.
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.
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)
