Press Releases
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Petition to Decriminalise Medicinal Cannabis
posted on the February 11th, 2015 by norml
“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 […]
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Toke the Vote: NORML’s guide to NZ Political Party cannabis policies
posted on the August 27th, 2014 by norml
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 […]
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Petition to reduce Synthetic Highs by legalising natural cannabis
posted on the May 15th, 2014 by Chris
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. […]
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2014 Law Reform Conference and NORML AGM – Sat 14 June in Wellington
posted on the May 8th, 2014 by Chris
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 […]
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Synthetics ban won’t work if cannabis remains illegal, says drug law reform group
posted on the April 28th, 2014 by Chris
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 […]
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New pipe ban will increase harm to cannabis consumers, and encourages users of legal synthetics to smoke more
posted on the April 15th, 2014 by Chris
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 […]
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NORML’s Position on ‘legal highs’ & the Psychoactive Substances Act
posted on the March 26th, 2014 by Chris
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 […]
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NORML presents J Day, nationwide protests on Sat 3 May, 2014
posted on the March 26th, 2014 by Chris
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 […]
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Complete rethink needed of all drug laws
posted on the March 1st, 2014 by norml
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 […]
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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.
posted on the January 4th, 2014 by norml
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 […]
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The Media Should Stop Pretending Marijuana’s Risks Are a Mystery — The Science Is Clear
posted on the December 20th, 2013 by Chris
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 […]
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Review of the National Drug Policy – submissions close 28 Feb 2014
posted on the December 17th, 2013 by norml
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 […]
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Cannabis and Health International Symposium in Auckland, 27-29 Nov 2013
posted on the November 23rd, 2013 by Chris
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 […]
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Prof. David Nutt’s NZ speaking tour – Dec 2013
posted on the November 16th, 2013 by Chris
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 […]
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Marijuana campaign calls for better ways to measure cannabis impairment
posted on the November 1st, 2013 by norml
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 […]
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NORML likes Peter Dunne’s new thinking
posted on the October 31st, 2013 by Chris
Marijuana law reform lobby agrees with Former Associate Minister of Health’s call for evidence-based approach to regulating drugs Peter Dunne, the “architect” of Psychoactive Substances Act, is now calling for the same regulatory approach to be applied to drugs currently scheduled in the Misuse of Drugs Act. “People may be surprised to hear NORML agreeing […]
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Second NZ study fails to find downside to cannabis use
posted on the June 5th, 2013 by norml
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 […]
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Regulate natural cannabis to reduce synthetic cannabis
posted on the May 29th, 2013 by norml
Demand for synthetic cannabis would plummet if natural cannabis were legally and safely available here as in Colorado, where laws have today been enacted to ensure the world’s first legal marijuana market for adults will be a robust and comprehensive regulatory system. “Our parliament is grappling with regulations controlling the sale of synthetic cannabis and […]
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Is Your Mayor in the Marijuana Majority?
posted on the May 23rd, 2013 by Chris
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 […]