Submissions now open on Medicinal Cannabis Bill (deadline 21 March 2018)
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.
Posted inCampaign Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
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…
Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further
Posted inCampaign Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…

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

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Events Law Reform

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…
Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
Posted inEvents Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
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 Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

“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
Posted inEvents Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Research

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?
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Research

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
Posted inEvents For Media & Students Medicinal Use of Cannabis

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
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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…
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,…