Posted inPress releases

Norml and Daktory separate organisations

  The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) says it has not broken the law by endorsing adults-only cannabis clubs like the Daktory. Despite claims made by Fairfax Media (Steve Hopkins - March 22), NORML did not control or operate the Daktory at any point. NORML and the Daktory are two seperate organisations. Although NORML endorses civil disobedience as a means of protest, the national organisation…
Posted inPress releases

Norml delegation to meet MPs

Replies are starting to flood in after the Norml President wrote to all MPs with a Survey for them to complete. A Norml delegation will soon be meeting with Kevin Hague from the Green Party and Iain Lees Galloway from the Labour Party to discuss Norml policy further. New Zealand First MP Tracey Martin has continued her party's famous use of the word 'NO' by answering 'NO' to every question on the Norml…
Posted inAbout cannabis About NORML For Media & Students

Norml president surveys MPs

The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) is conducting a survey of all members of Parliament. Norml president Julian Crawford sent the following survey to MPs along with stamped self addressed envelopes. "It is important for our membership to know where each and every MP stands on cannabis and hemp related issues," he said. The survey questions are: 1) Do you support removing penalties for personal…
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medical Cannabis Laws Have No Discernable Adverse Impact On Adolescents’ Pot Use

by Paul Armentano, US NORML Deputy Director The enactment of state laws allowing for the limited legal use of cannabis by qualified patients has little to no causal effect on broader marijuana use, according to data published online in the journal Annals of Epidemiology. Investigators at McGill University in Montreal obtained state-level estimates of marijuana use from the 2002 through 2009 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health.…
Posted inAbout NORML Events Press releases

NORML’s Annual Conference – new Board elected

This year's theme was "It's a health issue, not a crime", and featured a presentation from drug counselor Roger Brooking (watch it on vimeo here). AGM of NORML New Zealand Inc. Held at Tapu Te Ranga marae, Island Bay, Wellington, on Sat 11 Feb 2012, 4pm - 6pm. President's report from Phil Saxby accepted. Treasurer's report from Chris Fowlie accepted. No special resolutions passed. Election of officers: The following…
Posted inAbout cannabis Drug Testing Press releases

NZ’s 540,000 marijuana users “too many to arrest”

A new Horizon Poll has found New Zealand has 540,000 marijuana users including over 70,000 who use it every day. NORML says this is more evidence in support of it's campaign theme of "too many smokers to arrest". "New Zealand has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world, and despite decades of busting people we certainly the highest teenage use rate," said NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie.…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Canada’s Liberal Party votes to legalise

Canada's Liberal Party, the country's oldest registered political party, has overwhelmingly adopted a policy of supporting the regulation and taxation of cannabis commerce, something New Zealand's conservative government should also consider. The Liberals have often been the governing party in Canada, and have previously attempted several times to introduce legislation to legalise, regulate and tax their multi-billion dollar cannabis trade. At their latest annual conference the Liberals voted by…
Posted inAbout cannabis Drug Testing Press releases

Drug driving campaign may backfire

NORML supports efforts to reduce impairment on the roads, and our own "Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use" invoke a no-driving clause. However, like with alcohol it is important to distinguish between use and impairment. Furthermore, efforts to reduce the use of drugs may actually backfire by encouraging more use of alcohol, a far more dangerous substance that encourages risk-taking behaviour. "The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has this week…
Posted inAbout cannabis Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

JAMA: Long-Term Exposure To Cannabis Smoke Is Not Associated With Adverse Effects On Pulmonary Function

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director Exposure to cannabis smoke, even over the long-term, is not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function. That’s the conclusion of a major clinical trial published today in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA). Investigators at the University of California, San Francisco analyzed the association between marijuana exposure and pulmonary function over a 20 year period in a cohort of 5,115…
Posted inEvents

NORML presents J Day, Sat 7 May 2011

Free events (R18) are happening on Saturday 7 May 2011 at:   Auckland - Albert Park Hamilton - Lake stage Tauranga - Yatton Park Hastings - Library steps New Plymouth - Puke Ariki landing Wellington - Frank Kitts Christchurch - New Brighton (by pier) Dunedin - The Octagon Invercargill - venue T.B.C.   All events start at high noon and go til about 4:20. Strictly R18 - No alcohol…
Posted inPress releases

Protect Young People By Banning Alcohol Advertising

The current system of voluntary self-regulation of alcohol advertising is not working to reduce the harms from excess drinking, especially amongst young people, which is why the glamorization of alcohol through public advertising and sponsorship should be banned. In its submission sent to the Justice and Electoral Committee on the Alcohol Reform Bill, NORML NZ cited research showing that alcohol advertising and promotion increases the likelihood of adolescents taking…
Posted inPress releases

Aussie Gangs and Drugs – Prohibition is Great for Business & Increasing Violence

Aussie biker gangs like the Rebels gain power through violence and trafficking in illegal drugs; that means prohibition is great for business and will only help them get a stake established more quickly in New Zealand. “It isn’t surprising that a gang like the Rebels is looking at starting an operation here,” says NORML President Stephen McIntyre. “400,000 Kiwis are current users of cannabis.” "In addition, Aotearoa/New Zealand has…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Restore Public Trust in Police – Stop Criminalising Cannabis

The New Zealand public needs to have its confidence restored in the police and the quickest way for that to happen is to stop criminalising cannabis. "The announcement this week of Police Commissioner Rob Pope's resignation signals a healthy change in the nature of Police culture," said NORML NZ President Stephen McIntyre today. "But over the years, the law criminalising cannabis has done much to erode the general public's…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

New Police Policy of ‘Two Strikes’ Will Hit Maori Hard

NORML NZ says a new police programme whereby first-time offenders caught committing minor crimes are being let off with a warning will hit young male Maori hard, calling it a policy of 'two strikes and you're out'. "We already know that Maori in general, but young male Maori in particular, are more likely to be stopped and searched for cannabis by the police," said president for the National Organisation…
Posted inPress releases

John Key is right: pipe ban is unworkable

"Prime Minister John Key is right to not support the banning of pipes and vapourisers," says NORML NZ President, Stephen McIntyre. "He acknowledges that these devices can be used for "genuine and practical reasons", making a ban unpopular and unworkable." On RNZ Morning Report today, John Key said: "While people use those implements for the consumption of illegal drugs, they're also used actually for genuine and practical reasons by…