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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 inEvents Law Reform Press releases

NORML presents J Day, nationwide events on Sat 2 May 2015

Come to J Day, an international day celebrating our cannabis culture and a protest against the failed War on Drugs. All events are free, starting at High Noon and run to 4:20pm or so. Auckland - Albert Park. Features music and speakers, on the mighty JAFA Mafia sound system, plus market stalls and information booths. Hamilton - Riff Raff Statue, Victoria St Tauranga - Yatton Park Whakatane - Historic…
Posted inEvents Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Petition to Decriminalise Medicinal Cannabis

"Decriminalise the use of medicinal cannabis in its raw form." Click here to sign this petition at Avaaz.org New Zealand patients need safe legal access to medicinal cannabis Find out more about medicinal cannabis Download or read NORML’s leaflet about Medical Cannabis [PDF] Why this is important The use of cannabis for medical purposes, is essential to many terminally ill and debilitated New Zealanders who would benefit from it.…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Press releases

Toke the Vote: NORML’s guide to NZ Political Party cannabis policies

NORML's policy, renewed at our recent national conference, is to encourage supporters to vote for parties and candidates who will work to reform our cannabis laws. We need at least 61 supportive MPs in parliament. You can help make this happen! Here is a summary of how the parties stack up against our three core policy goals. See below for more information including links to party policies and public…
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 inLaw Reform Press releases

Petition to reduce Synthetic Highs by legalising natural cannabis

NORML has launched a petition to the NZ Parliament saying what everyone knows - the only way to reduce the use of more risky synthetic cannabis is by allowing natural cannabis. Even though synthetic cannabis products have now been banned in New Zealand, they will just be pushed underground and into the control of criminals. Prohibition did not work for alcohol, is not working for cannabis, and will not…
Posted inEvents Press releases

2014 Law Reform Conference and NORML AGM – Sat 14 June in Wellington

NORML NZ Conference and AGM Saturday 14 June 2014, 9:30am to 5pm Hotel Mercure, 345 The Terrace, Wellington. Join us for our annual cannabis law reform conference - with cannabis reforms in Colorado, Washington and Uruguay, as well as review of the UN drug treaties, and NZ's ongoing debate about regulating synthetic cannabis substitutes (and why not the real thing?), we are now closer than ever before. Don't stand…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Synthetics ban won’t work if cannabis remains illegal, says drug law reform group

The Government's intention to ban the remaining synthetic substitutes won't work if cannabis remains illegal. "The more risky synthetic substances are only demanded because consumers can't legally use natural cannabis," says Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for NORML (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc). "The false demand for synthetic products will only be reduced when real, natural, cannabis is finally legalised in New Zealand like it…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform

84% of Kiwis support cannabis law reform, says Campbell Live poll

On 16 April 2014, TV3's Campbell Live asked viewers "Is it time to decriminalise marijuana for personal use?" In a staggering result, the poll showed 84 percent of you said yes it should be, while 16 percent said no. Of course, the poll follows the spotlight Campbell Live has shone on synthetic cannabis, and the fact many users we spoke to would rather smoke cannabis, but of course it…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

New pipe ban will increase harm to cannabis consumers, and encourages users of legal synthetics to smoke more

The Government will increase harm by further restricting the sale, supply and importation of drug harm reduction equipment. "This National-led Government seems to be encouraging use of the more harmful synthetics over safer natural cannabis. Now it is increasing harm even more, by forcing them to smoke larger amounts," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc. The Misuse of…
Posted inAbout NORML For Media & Students Law Reform

NORML’s Position on ‘legal highs’ & the Psychoactive Substances Act

NORML supports the intention of the Psychoactive Substances Act It should be widened to cover all low-risk drugs including cannabis Legalising and regulating cannabis is the most effective way of closing down the market for synthetic cannabis The idea of legalising and regulating low risk drugs instead of trying to ban them is one that NORML supports.  We agree with Parliament that regulation is the best way to ensure…
Posted inEvents Law Reform Press releases

NORML presents J Day, nationwide protests on Sat 3 May, 2014

J Day is an international celebration of cannabis culture and protest against prohibition, with free events all over New Zealand. NORML first organised J Day in 1992, it is now held in over 200 cities around the world on the first Saturday in May every year. All events start at High Noon, so don't be late! Auckland - Albert Park Hamilton - Lake Domain Stage Whakatane - Historic Reserve…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Press releases

Complete rethink needed of all drug laws

NORML has advised the Ministry of Health a complete rethink is needed of all drug control laws and policies. In it's submission to the discussion document on the New National Drug Policy, New Zealand's longest running cannabis law reform group said the lack of any willingness to look at first principles, and the missed opportunity to place the NDP in a world context, is especially sad given that NZ…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

First legal pot sales in Colorado – and the sky did not fall. Here’s why it’s just a matter of time before pot becomes legal everywhere.

The benefits, and common sense, point to cannabis prohibition becoming a thing of the past. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com/Yellowj January 2, 2014  | Tens of thousands of people throughout the nation today will buy cannabis. The difference is that in Colorado, these transactions will be legal, regulated and taxed. The product will be of known quality and potency, and the cannabis seller will not be a blackmarket dealer, but rather…
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 inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

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

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 up with some new policy ideas that, unfortunately, had to remain within the current…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Uruguay first nation in modern history to regulate the licensed production and sale of cannabis

Members of the Uruguay Senate late today approved legislation authorizing for the licensed production and retail sale of cannabis to all citizens age 18 and older. Members of Uruguay’s House had previously approved the measure months earlier. The bill now goes to President José Mujica, who intends to sign the measure into law in the coming days. Uruguay will be the first nation in modern history to regulate the…
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…