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…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

NORML likes Peter Dunne’s new thinking

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 with the former Minister of Health, who blocked cannabis law reform under the former…
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 inLaw Reform Press releases

Regulate natural cannabis to reduce synthetic cannabis

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 party pills," said NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie, "but there is no market for these…
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 Press releases

New Zealand still the world’s top consumer of cannabis

New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of using cannabis in the world, according to the United Nation's 2012 World Drug Report. In 2010 (the most recent year for which international data was available), marijuana consumption was most prevalent in Australia and New Zealand, with the United States and Canada tied for second, followed by Spain, France and Italy. "Cannabis is the world's most widely used illicit substance…

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Posted inAbout NORML Dr Phil's blog Law Reform

Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group

New Zealand should regulate cannabis like alcohol and save at least $300 million per year, says the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc (NORML). At its weekend conference at Tokaanu, delegates elected Chris Fowlie of Auckland as President, and Phil Saxby of Wellington as Secretary. Chris Fowlie was previously President of NORML from 1997-2008 during which time NZ came tantalisingly close to cannabis law…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Stroke risk caused by tobacco not cannabis

Prohibitionists are grasping at straws by claiming that cannabis is linked to strokes, Norml president Julian Crawford says. In the Auckland University study, all but one of the stroke patients who were cannabis users also used tobacco regularly. According to the US National Stroke Association, "Smoking tobacco doubles the risk for stroke when compared to a non-smoker. It reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, causing the heart…

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Posted inAbout cannabis About NORML Dr Phil's blog

Cannabis legalisation in US shows opportunity for NZ tourism

Monday, 12 November 2012, 1:25 pm Press Release: NORML Norml New Zealand welcomes the legalisation of cannabis in the US states of Colorado and Washington and call for a similar law change here. Norml vice-president Abe Gray said many people choose to visit and immigrate to New Zealand especially because of the laid back kiwi attitude and relaxed atmosphere. "New Zealand has the highest rate of cannabis use in…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Regulation will reduce teen cannabis use, says NORML

Current drug policy is resulting in widespread teenage cannabis use while a regulated market would make cannabis use adults-only in licensed premises. Despite strict cannabis laws, New Zealand has the highest rate of teen cannabis use in the world. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have the most relaxed cannabis laws for adults in the world but has the lowest rate of teen cannabis use. “New Zealand needs to take a leaf…
Posted inPress releases Your rights

NORML call on 2500 to take Court action

NORML New Zealand is calling on all 2500 people charged for cannabis in Operation National to enter Not Guilty or No Plea at every court appearance to clog the court system. NORML vice-president Abe Gray said that if the 2500 people refused to plead guilty, cannabis prohibition would become unworkable immediately. "By pleading Not Guilty they will have a greater chance of avoiding jail and challenging the validity of…
Posted inPress releases

Dakta Green back in custody

Thursday, 28 June 2012, 9:17 am Press Release: NORML For immediate release: Dakta Green is back in custody in a move that smacks of police harassment NORML says. Failing to answer the door to police at 5.30 in the morning (June 27) resulted in Dakta Green being arrested for breach of bail. Green's partner is also stuck in prison after a judge failed to turn up to court to…
Posted inEvents Press releases

J Day Sat 5th May 2012

Saturday 5th May 2012 is the 20th Annual J Day! UPDATE 7 MAY: Thanks to everyone who came or who helped make it happen. Photos on Facebook! Come along and show your support. J Day is free, runs from High Noon to after 4:20, and is intended for adults only (R18). Bring a banner, your buddies, wear your favourite pot t shirt (or a power suit/dress!), paint yourself green,…