Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further

Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further

Medicinal cannabis advocates say patients will be both pleased and disappointed with the Bill introduced today by Health Minister David Clark. “The Bill is a huge step in the right direction, and a first for any New Zealand government," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for NORML New Zealand Inc, "but we think a truly patient-focused approach should go much further." The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill will enable…
Relaxed cats wanted

Relaxed cats wanted

DO YOU SUPPORT LAW REFORM? We are looking for some social media savvy people to help us out on a little project. We are looking for people who are: on multiple social media platforms regularly (facebook, twitter, instagram etc) have some time to spare have calm and friendly personalities (relaxed!) If this sounds like you and you would like to contribute to achieving law reform, email sandra@norml.org.nz  
Cannabis Armistice: 90 Years of Cannabis Prohibition – Sat 11 Nov 2017

Cannabis Armistice: 90 Years of Cannabis Prohibition – Sat 11 Nov 2017

Join our call for a moratorium on further arrests, as we commemorate the ninetieth anniversary of cannabis prohibition, this Armistice Day Saturday 11 November 2017. Cannabis Armistice Rally - Saturday 11 November 2017 AUCKLAND: Noon-2pm, Queen Street (Opposite Aotea Square) WELLINGTON: Cenotaph (Parliament/Bowen St) NELSON: Trafalgar St (opp. Farmers) Ninety years of cannabis prohibition - it's time for change! Come and celebrate the new direction for drug policy with the…
NORML New Zealand Inc Annual General Meeting

NORML New Zealand Inc Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Incorporated (1980). WHEN: Sunday 19th November, 11am to 2pm WHERE: The Hempstore, 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland Notice is hereby given that the 2017 Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Incorporated (1980) will be held at 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland, on Sunday 19th November. The Annual General Meeting is where members elect the Board and perform other administrative tasks required of the…
Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis

Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis

New Zealand police have busted at least three "Green Fairies" - providers of medicinal cannabis to patients who need it, often for little or no charge - including well known activist Rose Renton. Police have previously tacitly given approval by generally not busting patients and providers who have been in the media or campaigning for change, including the late Helen Kelly and others. This has sent a signal to…
#TokeTheVote: NORML NZ’s Guide to Political Party Cannabis Policies for the 2017 Election

#TokeTheVote: NORML NZ’s Guide to Political Party Cannabis Policies for the 2017 Election

NORML’s 2017 #TokeTheVote guide to political party cannabis policies or likely support.

Cannabis is well and truly an election issue. For the first time ever, most parties now have written policies or have taken a stance supporting reform of some description. There is a lot to consider so to help we have assessed the cannabis policies or public statements of party leaders against NORML’s three core policies:

  1. Make cannabis a health issue, not a crime (ie, decriminalise)
  2. Safe legal and affordable access to medical cannabis
  3. A regulated and taxed market for cannabis

 

NORML’s Guide to Cannabis Policies of Political Parties in the 2017 New Zealand General Election

ACT Party

ACT leader David Seymour will vote for Julie Anne Genter’s medicinal cannabis bill and says he would legalise cannabis “tomorrow”. ACT have no written cannabis policy – it went along with former leader Don Brash.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

NZ’s only political party dedicated to legalising cannabis, ALCP would make medical use legal, allow home growing, and license retail sales to adults. Encourage hemp for regional development. Not currently in parliament.

Green Party

The Greens would make cannabis legal for personal use (including home growing), legalise medical cannabis and allow patients and caregivers to grow their own or be prescribed cannabis products, and use overseas experience to determine the best model for legal cannabis sales to adults. Green MP Julie Anne Genter has a medical cannabis bill before parliament.

Internet Party

The Internet Party’s cannabis policy is to legalise medical use, decriminalise personal use, and regulate legal production. Not currently in parliament.

Labour

Jacinda Ardern famously said “absolutely yes” to medical cannabis. Labour says it would legalise medical cannabis in their first 100 days. Labour policy is to treat cannabis as a health issue not a crime, and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Labour MP Damien O’Connor has a medical cannabis bill before parliament.

Mana

Mana would legalise medical cannabis, decriminalise personal use, and introduce a legal age limit. Mana are opposed to legal sales to adults. Hone Harawira has called for dealers to be executed. Not currently in parliament.

Maori Party

In public statements the Maori Party say they support allowing medicinal cannabis and personal use, and are open to a conversation about legalisation. Their written policy only says Maori should be allowed access to emerging treatments including medical marijuana.

National Party

National has allowed only minimal progress on medical cannabis, and opposes any law change. Other than an election promise to “crack down” on gangs and drugs, it has no written policy. Cannabis arrests have halved under the Nats.

New Zealand First

NZ First has no written policy but in public statements says it will support legalising medical cannabis, and a binding referendum on wider reforms. Wants a new offense of public intoxication.

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

TOP’s “Real Deal” cannabis policy would legalise use and growing up to 2 plants each, and regulated sales to adults through a system of non-profit clubs. However they have made no provision for medical cannabis, with leader Gareth Morgan calling it a “placebo”. Not currently in parliament.

United Future

Peter Dunne has made some progress on medical cannabis, and UF now supports regulating all low risk drugs including cannabis through the Psychoactive Substances Act. With Dunne retiring, UF are unlikely to make it back into parliament.

 For more info search our site for the #TokeTheVote hashtag.

Remember, make sure you are enrolled to vote, and vote for parties and candidates who will change the law.


Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017

Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017

MEDIA RELEASE THURS 31/08/2017 FROM NORML NEW ZEALAND INC & AUCKLAND PATIENTS GROUP Patients, caregivers and supporters of safe legal access to natural affordable cannabis will march down Queen Street in Auckland, this Saturday 2nd September.  The Government's recently announced changes for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, will take effect the following Thursday 7th September. Doctors will no longer require special permission to prescribe cannabidiol products. However there are no authorised…
Poll shows growing support for cannabis law reform

Poll shows growing support for cannabis law reform

The  New Zealand Drug Foundation's 2017 poll confirms the trend for increasing support for cannabis law reform.  The poll was conducted by National Party pollsters Curia and shows even 60 per cent of that party's voters want to see cannabis decriminalised or made legal. Overall, 65 per cent want cannabis legal or decriminalised, and 81 per cent support allowing medical cannabis for patients with terminal illnesses. With an election…

Medical Cannabis Queen St Rally and March – Sat 2 Sept.

Medical Cannabis Rally and March - Election Special Aotea Square, Queen St, CBD, Auckland Saturday 2 September 2017 12:00pm – 2:00pm NORML and Auckland Patient’s Group presents the 5th Queen Street Rally For Medical Cannabis - and this time we march! Join us, invited guests and speakers, patients, caregivers and supporters all calling for safe legal access to natural affordable cannabis. The Government recently announced changes for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive…

“It’s Jacinda over Bill” say organisers of medical cannabis rally – this Saturday 5th August in Auckland

Prospects for cannabis law reform are better under Jacinda Ardern, say organisers of a rally in support of medical cannabis. This Saturday NORML and Auckland Patients Group will rally to support safe legal access to medical cannabis - and against synthetics. National leader Bill English has again ruled out cannabis law reform, even in the face of a spate of deaths from synthetic drugs, however Jacinda Ardern, the new leader of…
Medical Cannabis Rally Sat 5 August 2017 – Queen Street Auckland

Medical Cannabis Rally Sat 5 August 2017 – Queen Street Auckland

NORML and Auckland Patient's Group presents their 4th Queen Street RALLY for medical cannabis. SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST 2017, NOON TO 2PM. QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND - OPP. AOTEA SQUARE - CNR OF WAKEFIELD ST. Join us, invited guests and speakers, patients, caregivers and supporters all calling for safe legal access to natural affordable cannabis. The Government's piecemeal changes do not change much for patients, who are still needlessly suffering. Very…

Study: No Increase In Problematic Cannabis Use By Young People Following Changes In Marijuana’s Legal Status

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director. Yet another study has once again affirmed that the regulation of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes is not associated with increases in problematic cannabis use by young people. Writing in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, federal investigators from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration evaluated marijuana use rates among young people (ages 12 to…
Dr Geoff Noller: Cannabis policy too important to be left to the politicians?

Dr Geoff Noller: Cannabis policy too important to be left to the politicians?

This article by NORML board member Dr Geoff Noller was first published on Stuff.co.nz as part of their series "What if cannabis was legal?" Cannabis policy: Too important to be left to the politicians? (Stuff Nation) Dr Geoff Noller 00:01, July 5 2017 As part of the Stuff series 'What if it was legal?', pro-cannabis reform academic and Norml board member Dr Geoff Noller gives his view on the political landscape…
Medical Cannabis Rally and Vigils: Saturday 1st July, 2017

Medical Cannabis Rally and Vigils: Saturday 1st July, 2017

Medical cannabis advocates and supporters will rally this Saturday 1st July, in several nationwide events. The rallies will include patients, caregivers and medical professionals as well as their supporters. Auckland medical cannabis rally In Auckland, gather on Queen Street opposite Aotea Square, at 12 noon. A follow up to their 2016 medical march, and the Rally and March held on 22 April this year, this rally is presented by Auckland…
Julie Anne Genter’s grow-your-own medical marijuana Bill drawn from ballot

Julie Anne Genter’s grow-your-own medical marijuana Bill drawn from ballot

Green MP Julie Anne Genter's medical cannabis private member's bill has been drawn from the ballot and will be debated in Parliament. The purpose of this bill is to make it legal for New Zealanders who are suffering from terminal illness or any debilitating condition to use cannabis or cannabis products with the support of a registered medical practitioner. Julie Anne Genter's private member's bill is a complementary approach…
NORML welcomes The Opportunities Party ‘real deal’ cannabis policy

NORML welcomes The Opportunities Party ‘real deal’ cannabis policy

The Opportunities Party releases cannabis reform policy NORML welcomes the release of The Opportunities Party's "real deal" cannabis policy and says TOP have upped the ante for other parties to now get more specific with what exactly they will do. TOP proposes to have make cannabis legal with a minimum age of purchase of 20, allow adults to grow up to two plants each, prohibit advertising, and license non-profit…
J Day this Saturday 6 May, nationwide cannabis law reform events

J Day this Saturday 6 May, nationwide cannabis law reform events

Cannabis law reform supporters and advocates will gather for nationwide events on 'J Day' this Saturday 6th May, 2017.  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 Saturday is the 26th Annual national day of action supporting cannabis law reform, including safe legal access to medicinal cannabis. To mark the occasion NORML and…
Dunne’s medicinal cannabis list will not help patients, says NORML

Dunne’s medicinal cannabis list will not help patients, says NORML

Dunne's latest announcement will make little difference to patients and is merely a smokescreen to hide the Government's lack of action, says NORML. In a press release, Peter Dunne is trumpeting the fact that he's written to medical organisations to share a list of overseas cannabis products and tell doctors to consider cannabis products with an "open mind". Ironically, the content of his message to doctors shows the ones with…
Help medicinal cannabis advocates attend the N.I. GP Conference this June

Help medicinal cannabis advocates attend the N.I. GP Conference this June

Auckland NORML is fundraising to help medicinal cannabis advocates have a stall and professional presence at the North Island G.P. CME Conference, held in Rotorua on 10-12 June 2017.  GP's need education about medicinal cannabis, and support to guide them through the application process. Peter Dunne thinks the problem with slow and tiresome applications lies with doctors, not him. So we are taking up the challenge and bringing cannabis…
Changes to medicinal cannabis rules will make little difference, says NORML

Changes to medicinal cannabis rules will make little difference, says NORML

The NZ Government has announced changes to the rules around medicinal cannabis - but what do they really mean? The changes announced by the Government today will do little to improve safe legal access for patients using cannabis medicinally, says cannabis advocacy group NORML. An estimated one-in-twenty New Zealanders use cannabis medicinally. Approximately 150 patients have been approved to use Satixex®, while three other patients have been approved to…