Pots for Patients – rally on Queen St, Auckland, Saturday 4th August

Pots for Patients – rally on Queen St, Auckland, Saturday 4th August

Rally and Art Installation calling for a Moratorium on Medicinal Cannabis Patients and their supporters until the Laws are altered. Decorate your terracotta pots commemorating patients denied safe access to affordable botanical cannabis and bring them to Aotea Square placing them on the grass amongst the others. Enjoy balm demonstrations, gentle reggae tunes and inspirational speakers. Another collaborative action between Auckland Patients Group and NORML NZ. The Medical Cannabis Art…
Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills

Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills

With three bills before Parliament this year, medicinal cannabis advocates are calling for cross-party support for sensible solutions. Changes to the Government's medicinal cannabis bill don't go far enough, while the National Party's proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available. The Green Party's bill was defeated earlier this year. “Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first," said Rebecca Reider, who has suffered from debilitating…
Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.

Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.

The Government's medicinal cannabis bill is back before parliament today - with MPs being urged to do what's best for patients, not politics. Responding to reports the National Party intends to withdraw their support for the bill, and introduce a private member's bill in the name of Shane Reti, NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie noted there is no guarantee that will ever be heard by parliament as it may never be drawn from the…

Cannabis referendum: Bring it on, says NORML

Cannabis campaigners have welcomed news today the Government is considering bringing forward the binding referendum on legalising cannabis to next year, 2019, rather than during the 2020 general election.  "Bring it on," said Chris Fowlie, president of NORML New Zealand Inc. "A solid majority of New Zealand adults support law reform and people are telling us they don't want to wait any longer." "The government needs to keep up…
MEDIA RELEASE: Cannabis patients testify at Parliament

MEDIA RELEASE: Cannabis patients testify at Parliament

Medicinal cannabis patients and caregivers will be descending on Parliament in large numbers on Monday 30 April to give their testimonies at the Health Select Committee. Hearings on the government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill attracted a reported 2000 submissions, due to widespread discontent with the weakness of the proposed law. Large numbers of patients have confessed to illegal activity in their submissions, creating a tense situation when the Select…

NORML’s submission on the Govt’s medicinal cannabis bill

Hearings on the Government's medicinal cannabis law reform bill continue throughout April and May, with NORML New Zealand delivering on Wednesday 11th April an unsubmissive submission on behalf of impatient patients. NORML's evidence was presented to Parliament's Health Select Committee by Rebecca Reider - a Golden Bay patient who was raided and prosecuted by police, and who subsequently successfully imported cannabis medicines into New Zealand - and Phil Saxby,…
NORML’s guide to making an effective submission on the 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Bill

NORML’s guide to making an effective submission on the 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Bill

Parliament’s Health Select Committee is accepting submissions on the Government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill. Submissions are being accepted now until March 21. >> Download this guide as a handy 2-page PDF << Parliament unanimously voted for the Government's bill, a real sign of the progress we have made. But the bill has been widely criticised for being weak, vague, and not providing enough protection for patients who urgently need…
Submissions now open on Medicinal Cannabis Bill (deadline 21 March 2018)

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.

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…
Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further

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…

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?

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

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…
Tell your MP what you think about our drug laws

New Zealand Govt to hold cannabis referendum

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 denial and obfuscation by the National-led Government, this is a massive opportunity. The world is watching. The referendum is part of the deal between Labour and the Green Party. An email to party members said: Increase funding for alcohol…
Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis

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…
#TokeTheVote: NORML NZ’s Guide to Political Party Cannabis Policies for the 2017 Election

#TokeTheVote: NORML NZ’s Guide to Political Party Cannabis Policies for the 2017 Election

NORML’s 2017 #TokeTheVote guide to political party cannabis policies or likely support.

Cannabis is well and truly an election issue. For the first time ever, most parties now have written policies or have taken a stance supporting reform of some description. There is a lot to consider so to help we have assessed the cannabis policies or public statements of party leaders against NORML’s three core policies:

  1. Make cannabis a health issue, not a crime (ie, decriminalise)
  2. Safe legal and affordable access to medical cannabis
  3. A regulated and taxed market for cannabis

 

NORML’s Guide to Cannabis Policies of Political Parties in the 2017 New Zealand General Election

ACT Party

ACT leader David Seymour will vote for Julie Anne Genter’s medicinal cannabis bill and says he would legalise cannabis “tomorrow”. ACT have no written cannabis policy – it went along with former leader Don Brash.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

NZ’s only political party dedicated to legalising cannabis, ALCP would make medical use legal, allow home growing, and license retail sales to adults. Encourage hemp for regional development. Not currently in parliament.

Green Party

The Greens would make cannabis legal for personal use (including home growing), legalise medical cannabis and allow patients and caregivers to grow their own or be prescribed cannabis products, and use overseas experience to determine the best model for legal cannabis sales to adults. Green MP Julie Anne Genter has a medical cannabis bill before parliament.

Internet Party

The Internet Party’s cannabis policy is to legalise medical use, decriminalise personal use, and regulate legal production. Not currently in parliament.

Labour

Jacinda Ardern famously said “absolutely yes” to medical cannabis. Labour says it would legalise medical cannabis in their first 100 days. Labour policy is to treat cannabis as a health issue not a crime, and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Labour MP Damien O’Connor has a medical cannabis bill before parliament.

Mana

Mana would legalise medical cannabis, decriminalise personal use, and introduce a legal age limit. Mana are opposed to legal sales to adults. Hone Harawira has called for dealers to be executed. Not currently in parliament.

Maori Party

In public statements the Maori Party say they support allowing medicinal cannabis and personal use, and are open to a conversation about legalisation. Their written policy only says Maori should be allowed access to emerging treatments including medical marijuana.

National Party

National has allowed only minimal progress on medical cannabis, and opposes any law change. Other than an election promise to “crack down” on gangs and drugs, it has no written policy. Cannabis arrests have halved under the Nats.

New Zealand First

NZ First has no written policy but in public statements says it will support legalising medical cannabis, and a binding referendum on wider reforms. Wants a new offense of public intoxication.

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

TOP’s “Real Deal” cannabis policy would legalise use and growing up to 2 plants each, and regulated sales to adults through a system of non-profit clubs. However they have made no provision for medical cannabis, with leader Gareth Morgan calling it a “placebo”. Not currently in parliament.

United Future

Peter Dunne has made some progress on medical cannabis, and UF now supports regulating all low risk drugs including cannabis through the Psychoactive Substances Act. With Dunne retiring, UF are unlikely to make it back into parliament.

 For more info search our site for the #TokeTheVote hashtag.

Remember, make sure you are enrolled to vote, and vote for parties and candidates who will change the law.


Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017

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

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…

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

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…