Category: Chris Fowlie’s Blog

It's easy to get caught up in a roller coaster of elation and despair, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie, but we need to focus on the only poll that counts:…

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has asked the Chief Science Advisor to gather a panel of experts and run an information campaign, to finally dispel the cannabis misinformation spread by the…

Controversy over edibles shows a smart approach is needed for the cannabis referendum and for medicinal cannabis

According to two polls this week, the cannabis referendum is in serious trouble. But they also provide clues for how to win. A model based on social equity, social enterprises…

These ten fixes can all be done this year though regulations or updates to policy, with no law change needed. I want New Zealand to be a world leader in…

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…

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…

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 –…

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…

The new Labour-led government has agreed to hold a binding referendum on legalising cannabis by or at the next election in 2020, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie. After years of…

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.…

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…

Rose Renton’s medicinal cannabis petition has been referred to Parliament’s Health Select Committee.  By Chris Fowlie (NORML NZ) and Rosie Baird (GreenCross NZ) The petition was presented by Labour MP Damien…

Opinion polls now show solid majorities supporting cannabis law reform, both for medicinal and adult use. Voters can make their views known at local body elections by asking questions and…

A new poll conducted for cannabis campaigners shows New Zealanders want the law changed now, says NORML.  “What may be surprising to some is that most people want herbal cannabis…

New Zealand’s oldest cannabis law reform group has offered qualified support for Helen Kelly’s proposal for a binding referendum on medicinal cannabis. Cannabis is useful for treating a wide variety…

Courts, police, prosecutors, the media and the general public often have highly unrealistic views of cannabis growers, their motives, how much they produce, and how it is sold. This often…

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…

Originally published on The Daily Blog 8 July 2015 Australian police have convinced politicians to extend the ban on one of most nutritious food sources known, because of concerns about…

Originally published on The Daily Blog, 25 June 2015 This Friday 26 June is global “Support, don’t punish” day, which aims to focus attention on the harmful aspects of criminal drug laws…