Polls show how to win the cannabis referendum: social equity, social enterprise and social clubs

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog

Polls show how to win the cannabis referendum: social equity, social enterprise and social clubs

According to two polls this week, the cannabis referendum is in serious trouble. But they also provide clues for how to win. A model based on social equity, social enterprises and social clubs could be what it takes to win the cannabis referendum.
NORML’s Submission on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform

NORML’s Submission on the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill

NORML New Zealand Inc supports the intention of this Bill, especially the provision mandating police discretion and directing a health-based approach. Our main concern is about granting a wide power for any Minister of Health to prohibit more substances or even “articles” and we recommend changing this. We also recommend directing police discretion and a healthcare-based approach before arrest, rather than at prosecution.
How Patients Could Access Medicinal Cannabis by Christmas

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

How Patients Could Access Medicinal Cannabis by Christmas

These ten fixes can all be done this year though regulations or updates to policy, with no law change needed. I want New Zealand to be a world leader in medicinal cannabis, and for patients to have legal access by Christmas this year. Let’s do it!
The Greens’ Medicinal Cannabis Bill will have it’s first vote in Parliament

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

The Greens’ Medicinal Cannabis Bill will have it’s first vote in Parliament

The Greens’ Medicinal Cannabis Bill will have it’s first vote in Parliament next Wednesday 31st Jan. This is sooner than we expected, so it’s really important to hit that keyboard and urge your MP to support the bill. Here are some reasons you can use: The public wants it, with over 80 per cent support for legalising medicinal cannabis in almost all polls. Let the Bill go to Select Committee so the public…

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medicinal cannabis: good news, bad news

By Chris Fowlie. Originally published on The Daily Blog, 14 Dec 2017. Good news! The Labour-led Government will introduce legislation to "legalise medicinal cannabis", this side of Christmas. Bad news! Based on early hints about the content of the reform, patients are fearful about whether the changes will go far enough and whether they will have to continue to resort to criminal activity. During the election, Labour used an image of herbal…
When it comes to legalising medicinal cannabis, what would Helen Kelly do?

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform

When it comes to legalising medicinal cannabis, what would Helen Kelly do?

The Labour Government says it will introduce legislation within 100 days to legalise medicinal cannabis, but what does that actually mean, and would Helen Kelly approve? By Chris Fowlie - originally published on The Daily Blog, 9 Dec 2017 The test of any proposed new law should be, "What would Helen Kelly want?" Hint: it's not expensive pharmaceutical derivatives. In case anyone needs reminding, this is what Helen said: "Cannabis is…
Tell your MP what you think about our drug laws

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases

New Zealand Govt to hold cannabis referendum

The new Labour-led government has agreed to hold a binding referendum on legalising cannabis by or at the next election in 2020, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie. After years of denial and obfuscation by the National-led Government, this is a massive opportunity. The world is watching. The referendum is part of the deal between Labour and the Green Party. An email to party members said: Increase funding for alcohol…
Cannabidiol to remain a controlled drug: here’s what is changing

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Cannabidiol to remain a controlled drug: here’s what is changing

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced Cannabidiol (CBD) will remain a controlled drug with restrictions expected to be lifted in September so that GPs and other doctors can prescribe CBD to patients without needing special approval. Dunne’s changes will help some patients – eventually – but a lot more could be done, writes Chris Fowlie. SEE NORML'S PAGE ON CANNABIDIOL: norml.org.nz/2017/legal-status-of-cannabidiol-cbd/ CBD will remain a controlled drug, just easier to prescribe. Doctors will be able to prescribe approved…
Posted inEvents For Media & Students Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medical Cannabis Rally & March announced for Sat 22 April 2017 in response to Bill English’s oddly ignorant views

Bill English has shown how out of touch he is with the New Zealand population once again, spouting oddly ignorant views on medical cannabis. Despite a vast majority of Kiwis favouring the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, English yesterday unscientifically claimed "large-scale use of marijuana is pretty bad." In response, medicinal cannabis users and allies today are announcing they will march down Queen St later this month, supporting safe legal…

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Drug Testing Press releases

Chris Fowlie: Oh, to joyfully pee in Bill English’s cup!

New Zealand's un-elected Prime Minister has taken a swipe at workers for refusing unfair and intrusive tests of their bodily fluids. We should all be lining up to joyfully pee in Bill English's cup! Not content with checking the pee of beneficiaries, the leader of the Big Business Party has now complained about local workers, blaming their refusal to submit to pee tests for the National Party policy of encouraging record immigration,…
Specialists to prescribe medicinal cannabis under Govt proposal
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Specialists to prescribe medicinal cannabis under Govt proposal

In response to sustained lobbying from patients and advocates including NORML, the NZ Government is changing the rules for medicinal cannabis so doctors can prescribe it direct to patients.  It's a step forward, and what we've been saying for years: it's the regulations that prevent doctors prescribing cannabis without special Ministerial approval, and these could be changed any time without needing to change the law. The risk is that…
Posted inEvents For Media & Students Press releases

Give-a-little fundraising page for Sue Grey, Lawyer

Sue Grey Lawyer from Nelson, New Zealand is taking our Ministry of Health to the High Court to release CBD from the Misuse of Drugs  1975. NORML recommends donating to this fund to enable Sue Grey to continue her work on this important case. More information about the legal challenge, which NORML supports, is here. The case will benefit many thousands of patients, and bring NZ into line with…
Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)

UPDATED AUGUST 2017 This is a step forward - but just a small step. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced Cannabidiol (CBD) will remain a controlled drug with restrictions expected to be lifted in September so that GPs and other doctors can prescribe CBD to patients without needing special approval. SUMMARY: GPs and other doctors will be able to prescribe CBD products without needing special approval; CBD products must…
Health Select Committee inquiry into Rose Renton’s medicinal cannabis petition

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Events Law Reform

Health Select Committee inquiry into Rose Renton’s medicinal cannabis petition

Rose Renton's medicinal cannabis petition has been referred to Parliament's Health Select Committee.  By Chris Fowlie (NORML NZ) and Rosie Baird (GreenCross NZ) The petition was presented by Labour MP Damien O'Connor on 12 October. The Health Select Committee will hold an inquiry into the issues raised. One of the most important things that you can do to help cannabis law reform is to make your views known to this…
Suits for Stoners
Posted inAbout NORML Press releases

Suits for Stoners

With NORML's new PledgeMe campaign, Suits for Stoners, you can donate a suit to a poorly attired cannabis activist and see them magically transformed from ignored and belittled nutbar to serious, esteemed lobbyist. That's all it takes! Go to Suits for Stoners on PlegeMe.co.nz now! Cannabis law reform is sooo hot right now. But some people say cannabis activists are all loser stoners who should "get a suit". With so many…
Support NORML
Posted inAbout NORML Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis

NORML AGM Sat 19 November 2016

The Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Inc (1980) will be held from 11am-1pm on Saturday 19 November 2016, at The Hempstore, 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland. [map] The agenda reflects NORML's evolving role to be an "enabler" of cannabis law reform. We don't aim to do everything ourselves. We help others do the good work they are doing and we inspire more to be active, through grants, awards, information,…
Local body elections: NORML’s recommendations

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Events Press releases

Local body elections: NORML’s recommendations

Opinion polls now show solid majorities supporting cannabis law reform, both for medicinal and adult use. Voters can make their views known at local body elections by asking questions and voting for candidates who support changing the current approach. So who should you support? Auckland Mayoral candidate Adam Holland is not associated with NORML or any known cannabis law reform group. Holland was the only mayoral candidate to not…
New UMR poll shows overwhelming support for medical cannabis law change, says NORML

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

New UMR poll shows overwhelming support for medical cannabis law change, says NORML

A new poll conducted for cannabis campaigners shows New Zealanders want the law changed now, says NORML.  "What may be surprising to some is that most people want herbal cannabis sold at health food stores for therapeutic purposes, alongside the Marjoram," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc). The poll was conducted by UMR for Start the Conversation from…
Sign the Rose Renton Petition for Medicinal Cannabis
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Sign the Rose Renton Petition for Medicinal Cannabis

Kiwis urgently need safe legal access to affordable high quality medicinal cannabis. Rose Renton, mother of Alex Renton and cannabis law reform campaigner, has launched a petition that is backed by NORML and other NZ law reform groups. Download the petition here or right-click the image below, save to your computer, and print it out. Visit ItsMedicine to see where you can sign the petition in person This is…