Posted inCampaign For Media & Students
Cannabis referendum confirmed for election day, 19 September 2020
The Government has announced the date of the next general election - and the cannabis referendum - to be held on September 19, 2020.
Posted inCampaign Press releases
NZ Drug Foundation releases cannabis model for the 2020 referendum
Download Taking control of cannabis: A model for responsible regulation
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Consultation on the medicinal cannabis scheme: NORML’s advice for patients
The government is working on setting up New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis framework. Now is the final moment for all of us to have a say in what that will look like.
Medical cannabis scheme public consultation open now until 7 August
Public consultation on the medical cannabis scheme is OPEN NOW UNTIL 7 AUGUST: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/medicinal-cannabis-scheme-consultation
New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Use Research Survey 2019
The first NZ medicinal cannabis patient research survey was launched on J-Day this year, drawing immediate attention with over 1300 people accessing it in the first two weeks. The survey, which is online only, is sponsored by medicinal cannabis patient advocacy organisation MCANZ, and aims to have 2000 people complete the survey questionnaire by July 31st, when participation closes.
Posted inAbout cannabis Research
Latest Science Debunks Claim That Cannabis Significantly Harms Brain
Claims that cannabis use is associated with lower cognitive functioning are largely based upon the findings of a single longitudinal study. The “true effect [of cannabis exposure] could be zero.”
Posted inCampaign Events Press releases
J Day 2019 “May the 4th be with you”
This year, 2019, J Day is on "Star Wars Day", May the Forth (get it?). NORML and friends are organising free events around New Zealand.
Posted inAbout NORML Campaign Events
Cannabis Referendum Conference and NORML AGM – Wellington, 9-10 November 2018
Join us in Wellington this 9-10 November for the Cannabis Referendum Conference and NORML AGM double-header! Cannabis Referendum Conference Friday, 9 November 2018 from 08:30-18:00 James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor 147 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand 6140 Register NOW at Eventfinder.co.nz See our Facebook event page The Cannabis Referendum Coalition invites serious advocates and campaigners to join us in Wellington for our inaugural conference - to learn and plan with…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Pots for Patients – rally on Queen St, Auckland, Saturday 4th August
Rally and Art Installation calling for a Moratorium on Medicinal Cannabis Patients and their supporters until the Laws are altered. Decorate your terracotta pots commemorating patients denied safe access to affordable botanical cannabis and bring them to Aotea Square placing them on the grass amongst the others. Enjoy balm demonstrations, gentle reggae tunes and inspirational speakers. Another collaborative action between Auckland Patients Group and NORML NZ. The Medical Cannabis Art…
Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills
With three bills before Parliament this year, medicinal cannabis advocates are calling for cross-party support for sensible solutions. Changes to the Government's medicinal cannabis bill don't go far enough, while the National Party's proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available. The Green Party's bill was defeated earlier this year. “Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first," said Rebecca Reider, who has suffered from debilitating…
Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.
The Government's medicinal cannabis bill is back before parliament today - with MPs being urged to do what's best for patients, not politics. Responding to reports the National Party intends to withdraw their support for the bill, and introduce a private member's bill in the name of Shane Reti, NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie noted there is no guarantee that will ever be heard by parliament as it may never be drawn from the…
Posted inCampaign Events Press releases
Cannabis referendum: Bring it on, says NORML
Cannabis campaigners have welcomed news today the Government is considering bringing forward the binding referendum on legalising cannabis to next year, 2019, rather than during the 2020 general election. "Bring it on," said Chris Fowlie, president of NORML New Zealand Inc. "A solid majority of New Zealand adults support law reform and people are telling us they don't want to wait any longer." "The government needs to keep up…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
We’re all human: A cannabis patient’s report from Parliament By Rebecca Reider
BY REBECCA REIDER It was one of those days for remembering why I’m alive and why I’m in this fight. Wow. I traveled to speak at Parliament twice last month – once on behalf of NORML, and then once on behalf of myself. I did not realise beforehand how powerful these experiences would be. The first time I arrived at Parliament for the hearings, I actually started crying as…
MEDIA RELEASE: Cannabis patients testify at Parliament
Medicinal cannabis patients and caregivers will be descending on Parliament in large numbers on Monday 30 April to give their testimonies at the Health Select Committee. Hearings on the government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill attracted a reported 2000 submissions, due to widespread discontent with the weakness of the proposed law. Large numbers of patients have confessed to illegal activity in their submissions, creating a tense situation when the Select…
Posted inCampaign Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis
NORML’s submission on the Govt’s medicinal cannabis bill
Hearings on the Government's medicinal cannabis law reform bill continue throughout April and May, with NORML New Zealand delivering on Wednesday 11th April an unsubmissive submission on behalf of impatient patients. NORML's evidence was presented to Parliament's Health Select Committee by Rebecca Reider - a Golden Bay patient who was raided and prosecuted by police, and who subsequently successfully imported cannabis medicines into New Zealand - and Phil Saxby,…
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Research
The Complete Guide to Medicinal Cannabis for Seniors
The New Zealand Government has put forward a new law to legalise medicinal cannabis, create a medicinal cannabis access scheme, make access to CBD much easier by removing it from the list of controlled drugs, facilitate domestic production, and in the mean time allow a statutory defence for terminally ill people. These are all good steps along the right path, even if we think the bill should go further…
Come to J Day, Saturday 5th May 2018
J Day is a worldwide protest against prohibition and a celebration of Kiwi cannabis culture, held on the first Saturday in May every year. This is the 27th Annual national day of action supporting cannabis law reform, including safe legal access to medicinal cannabis. NORML and our cannabis law reform friends organise free events nationwide to mark the occasion. These usually take the form of music, speeches and stalls…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
NORML’s guide to making an effective submission on the 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Bill
Parliament’s Health Select Committee is accepting submissions on the Government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill. Submissions are being accepted now until March 21. >> Download this guide as a handy 2-page PDF << Parliament unanimously voted for the Government's bill, a real sign of the progress we have made. But the bill has been widely criticised for being weak, vague, and not providing enough protection for patients who urgently need…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Submissions now open on Medicinal Cannabis Bill (deadline 21 March 2018)
Parliament unanimously passed the Government's Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill, and the Health Select Committee has wasted no time in opening submissions from the public. NORML will be writing a submission on the Bill, and this is your opportunity to also support safe legal access to medicinal cannabis! How to make a submission Read the Parliamentary guide to making a submission. NORML has produced a guide to making your submission…
Action alert: Medicinal cannabis reform in NZ is on the line this week – your voice is needed.
What’s happening: The first vote on Green MP Chloe Swarbrick’s medicinal cannabis bill is on Wed, Jan 31st. It’s going to be a conscience vote, meaning MPs can vote on their personal conscience, rather than along party lines. Why it’s important: Medicinal cannabis has proven benefits for numerous health conditions. Even if you don’t need it yourself, you’re likely to know someone who will need it one day. This bill is…