Press Releases

Viewing Category: Medicinal Use of Cannabis

  • The Media Should Stop Pretending Marijuana’s Risks Are a Mystery — The Science Is Clear

    posted on the December 20th, 2013 by Chris

    We now know as much about cannabis as we know about alcohol, tobacco and many prescription drugs. Speaking recently with the Los Angeles Times, UCLA professor and former Washington state “pot czar” Mark Kleiman implied that we as a society are largely ignorant when it comes to the subject of weed. Speaking with Times columnist Patt […]

  • Review of the National Drug Policy – submissions close 28 Feb 2014

    posted on the December 17th, 2013 by norml

    The Ministry of Health has announced on its website that submissions are now open for the review of the National Drug Policy. Download NORML’s submission to the New National Drug Policy here. The previous NDP expired in 2012. NORML’s Chris Fowlie was invited to take part in a “innovation session” in June 2013 to come […]

  • Stroke risk caused by tobacco not cannabis

    posted on the February 5th, 2013 by norml

    Prohibitionists are grasping at straws by claiming that cannabis is linked to strokes, Norml president Julian Crawford says. In the Auckland University study, all but one of the stroke patients who were cannabis users also used tobacco regularly. According to the US National Stroke Association, “Smoking tobacco doubles the risk for stroke when compared to […]

  • Cannabis legalisation in US shows opportunity for NZ tourism

    posted on the November 18th, 2012 by norml

    Monday, 12 November 2012, 1:25 pm Press Release: NORML Norml New Zealand welcomes the legalisation of cannabis in the US states of Colorado and Washington and call for a similar law change here. Norml vice-president Abe Gray said many people choose to visit and immigrate to New Zealand especially because of the laid back kiwi […]

  • USA: Six States To Decide On Marijuana Measures On Election Day

    posted on the November 2nd, 2012 by norml

    Historic Propositions to Legalize Personal Use Amounts of Cannabis For All Adults Hold Double Digit Leads In Colorado and Washington Washington, DC: Millions of voters will decide on Election Day in favor of ballot measures to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis by adults. Voters in three states – Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – […]

  • Study: Synthetic Cannabinoids Produce Anti-Cancer Effects In Human Liver Cancer Cells

    posted on the October 12th, 2012 by Chris

    As the debate continues in New Zealand about regulating the availability of products containing synthetic cannabinoids, a new study has shown two particular compounds exhibit anti-cancer effects in human liver cancer cells. This report is from US NORML’s Paul Armentano. Thursday, 11 October 2012 Tehran, Iran: The administration of synthetic cannabinoid agonists reduce cell viability […]

  • Regulation will reduce teen cannabis use, says NORML

    posted on the September 3rd, 2012 by norml

    Current drug policy is resulting in widespread teenage cannabis use while a regulated market would make cannabis use adults-only in licensed premises. Despite strict cannabis laws, New Zealand has the highest rate of teen cannabis use in the world. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have the most relaxed cannabis laws for adults in the world but has […]

  • Scientific Review: “There Is Now Clear Evidence That Cannabinoids Are Useful For The Treatment Of Various Medical Conditions”

    posted on the August 9th, 2012 by norml

    by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director (USA) August 9, 2012 For the second time in recent months, a scientific paper published in a peer-reviewed journal has thoroughly rebutted the present Schedule Istatus of cannabis under US federal law, which states that the plant and its organic constituents possess a “high potential for abuse,” and that […]

  • Five Scientific Conclusions About Cannabis That The Mainstream Media Doesn’t Want You To Know

    posted on the July 27th, 2012 by norml

    The government and mainstream media like to push studies touting the purported dangers of marijuana, while ignoring scientific evidence that demonstrates the opposite, writes Paul Armentano. While studies touting the purported dangers of cannabis are frequently pushed by the federal government and, therefore, all but assured mainstream media coverage, scientific conclusions rebutting pot propaganda or demonstrating […]

  • Medical cannabis laws associated with fewer suicides

    posted on the February 25th, 2012 by Chris

    “Policymakers weighing the pros and cons of legalization should consider… that (these) laws may lead to fewer suicides among young adult males” New Zealand has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world – especially for young males. We also have the highest rate of cannabis arrests in the world, with police spending […]

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

    posted on the February 14th, 2012 by norml

    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 […]

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

    posted on the January 11th, 2012 by norml

    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 […]

  • Medical Council wrong, says NORML

    posted on the December 29th, 2011 by Chris

    Contrary to what the Medical Council says, cannabis is not illegal if used with a license or prescription, says cannabis law reform group NORML. “This is the same as with opiates such as morphine which are commonly prescribed,” said spokesperson Chris Fowlie. “Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act is for issuing licenses. One […]

  • Amputee’s arrest poor use of police time

    posted on the July 11th, 2011 by Phil

    GreenCross facilitator and medical cannabis user Billy McKee has been arrested and is facing four charges of supplying cannabis, and one charge of cultivation, despite a recent recommendation from the Law Commission that Police should not prosecute medical users. UPDATE! NZ Police are now trying to “close down” the Greencross website, claiming Billy McKee “used […]