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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases Research

Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog – Even one cannabis arrest is one too many

Originally published on The Daily Blog, 23 July 2015 I’m either stupid or in denial, because apparently the police have already decriminalised weed.  That’s according to an article in the latest issue of Salient, which says “Fowlie focusses on the noise and misses the signal” in a recent post I made here on The Daily Blog. Maybe I was too busy helping victims of cannabis prohibition to have noticed that police…

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog: Let’s have an honest discussion on medicinal cannabis

Originally published on The Daily Blog, 16 April 2015 Safer than aspirin[1], or a sneaky ruse to legalise the devil’s weed? Patients and health professionals say cannabis may be a “wonder drug[2]” that relieves conditions from back pain and nausea to fibromyalgia, cancer[3] and epilepsy. But not according to our Ministry of Health. The only form of medicinal cannabis they permit is Sativex[4], an extract made in the UK…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Research

NZ Herald poll: majority want cannabis made legal or decriminalised

A New Zealand Herald poll confirms increasing support for cannabis law reform. The poll follows New Zealand's experiment with legally regulating Psychoactive Substances, widespread media coverage of medicinal cannabis, and increased awareness of law reform overseas including in Colorado, Washington, and Uruguay. The Herald poll shows a majority of voters want to see cannabis either made legal or decriminalised, including 45% of National Party voters. Read more about the…
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases Research

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

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 Morrison, Kleiman stated, “I keep saying we don't know nearly as much about cannabis as…
Posted inEvents Press releases Research

Cannabis and Health International Symposium in Auckland, 27-29 Nov 2013

NORML is proud to support Through the Maze: Cannabis and Health International Drug Policy Symposium This 3-day conference will bring together some of the best minds about cannabis and health from around the world in Auckland, New Zealand 27-29 November 2013. NORML is sponsoring the event and will be there networking, lobbying as well as learning as much as we can. Speakers include Prof Wayne Hall, Nadia Solowij, Steve…
Posted inEvents Press releases Research

Prof. David Nutt’s NZ speaking tour – Dec 2013

Professor David Nutt chaired the UK government advisory committee on drug policy until he was fired for "speaking truth to power", for which he has been awarded the 2013 John Maddox Award for Standing up for Science. Prof Nutt is now the chair of the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs. He will be speaking in New Zealand in early December: Christchurch - Tuesday 3 December 2013, 2-3:30pm @ Beavan…
Posted inDrug Testing Press releases Research

Marijuana campaign calls for better ways to measure cannabis impairment

Current forms of drug testing do not measure impairment and better ways are needed, says NORML, New Zealand's longest-running marijuana campaign group. There have been demands for compulsory random drug testing of tourism operators in the wake of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) inquiry into the January 2012 Carterton ballooning tragedy. "NORML has consistently promoted the responsible use of cannabis. Our principles include Adults Only, Respect the Rights of…
Posted inDrug Testing Research

The Truth About Zinc and Drug Tests

The internet is teeming with claims regarding the use of zinc supplements as a strategy for thwarting drug tests. But is there any hard science to support these anecdotes? The answer is "yes" -- and "no." Check out our latest article on zinc supplements, in NORML's Guide to Drug Testing https://norml.org.nz/rights/guide-to-drug-testing/the-truth-about-zinc-and-drug-tests/
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Research

Study: Marijuana smoking not associated with airway cancers, COPD, emphysema, or other tobacco-related pulmonary complications

Last week we reported a new study that found cannabis reduces cravings for tobacco. It turns out pulmonary complications associated with the regular smoking of cannabis are “relatively small” and far lower than those associated with tobacco smoking, according to a recent review published in the June edition of the scientific journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The paper – authored by Donald P. Tashkin, MD, emeritus professor…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Research

Cannabis Compound Reduces Cigarette Consumption In Tobacco Smokers

The inhalation of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) significantly mitigates tobacco smokers’ desire for cigarettes, according to clinical trial data published online in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Investigators at University College London conducted a double blind pilot study to assess the impact of the ad-hoc consumption of organic CBD versus placebo in 24 tobacco-smoking subjects seeking to quit their habit. Participants were randomized to receive an inhaler containing CBD…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Press releases

Second NZ study fails to find downside to cannabis use

Two studies from New Zealand have failed to find the downside to cannabis use they were looking for - but don't expect to see any coverage in our local media. Last month we revealed a new re-analysis of NZ data that, when it was first published, was widely reported as showing a lung cancer link "for the first time". We had pointed out the study contained tobacco smokers but…
Posted inPress releases Research

Is Your Mayor in the Marijuana Majority?

by Erik Altieri & Chris Fowlie On TV3's The Vote, New Zealanders voted 70-28 to decriminalise cannabis. While the show and poll are memorable for the overwhelming support shown for alternatives to prohibition, it was clear the opposing team were out of touch and none more so than Timaru's mayor Janie Annear. Now, you can join NORML and our friends at the Marijuana Majority in our efforts to build…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Research

Study: Regular Cannabis Use Associated With Reduced Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes

Smoking cannabis could reduce the risk of diabetes by controlling blood sugar Marijuana users had 16% lower fasting insulin levels than non-users They were also less likely to be insulin resistant and had smaller waists Previous research has found cannabis smokers are less likely to be obese   Study: Regular Cannabis Use Associated With Reduced Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes by Paul Armentano, US NORML Deputy Director Subjects…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Research

Study: No association between cannabis smoke and risk of lung cancer

A re-analysis of New Zealand data has confirmed cannabis is the safer choice, with pot smokers having no increased risk of lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Previous results were widely reported as showing an elevated risk of lung cancer. "That risk has disappeared now tobacco smokers have been removed", said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc). "A recent study…
Posted inLaw Reform Research

NORML’s Chris Fowlie talks legalisation in Colorado and how it might apply to NZ, with Newstalk’s Jack Tame

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/player/ondemand/948590092-world-cannabis-week-to-take-over-colorado World Cannabis Week to take over Colorado New Zealander Chris Fowlie researches cannabis use and cultivation, and he talks to Jack Tame in Colorado, where the drug is legal and celebrating that this weekend. Click to listen in external player or download the mp3 here
Posted inAbout cannabis Research

Study: Smoking Cannabis Associated With “Significantly Better” Health Outcomes Than Tobacco

Australian research has found cannabis users are just as healthy as non-users, but you probably didn't see any coverage of this in the mainstream media. The key points are: Cannabis-only subjects reported "significantly better" general health and fewer smoking-related health concerns compared to the tobacco-only group. Cannabis-only subjects were less likely to report diagnoses of cancer and diabetes compared to all other groups, including the non-smoking controls General health…