Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Restore Public Trust in Police – Stop Criminalising Cannabis

The New Zealand public needs to have its confidence restored in the police and the quickest way for that to happen is to stop criminalising cannabis. "The announcement this week of Police Commissioner Rob Pope's resignation signals a healthy change in the nature of Police culture," said NORML NZ President Stephen McIntyre today. "But over the years, the law criminalising cannabis has done much to erode the general public's…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

New Police Policy of ‘Two Strikes’ Will Hit Maori Hard

NORML NZ says a new police programme whereby first-time offenders caught committing minor crimes are being let off with a warning will hit young male Maori hard, calling it a policy of 'two strikes and you're out'. "We already know that Maori in general, but young male Maori in particular, are more likely to be stopped and searched for cannabis by the police," said president for the National Organisation…
Posted inPress releases

John Key is right: pipe ban is unworkable

"Prime Minister John Key is right to not support the banning of pipes and vapourisers," says NORML NZ President, Stephen McIntyre. "He acknowledges that these devices can be used for "genuine and practical reasons", making a ban unpopular and unworkable." On RNZ Morning Report today, John Key said: "While people use those implements for the consumption of illegal drugs, they're also used actually for genuine and practical reasons by…
Posted inAbout NORML Press releases

New leadership for cannabis law reform campaign

New Zealand's longest-running cannabis law reform group, the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ), elected Stephen McIntyre as President at its 2010 Conference, held in Auckland last weekend. Mr McIntyre (45) has been a teacher for more than twenty years. He is married, lives in Auckland, and has two teenage children. "My personal focus is on creating safer communities where young people are no longer…
Posted inAbout NORML Press releases

NORML’s Annual Conference and AGM – Sat 20 Nov. 2010

NORML's Annual Conference and AGM is to be held on Saturday 20 November 2010, at The Daktory in Auckland. This event is essential for all budding activists. Meet your fellow campaigners. Learn about what has been going on, and what is coming up. Discuss and plan strategies to help end cannabis prohibition. This is serious business, not a party, although we like to enjoy our work :) Due to…
Posted inPress releases

Prohibition of cannabis counter-productive

The International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP) today released a new research report that demonstrates the clear failure of U.S. marijuana prohibition and supports calls for evidence-based models to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis. The British Medical Journal, one of the world’s most influential medical journals, published a supportive commentary to coincide with the report’s release today. The new report, entitled Tools for debate: U.S.…
Posted inPress releases

Govt Could Offset GST Rise by Regulating Cannabis

The Government could give Kiwis a financial break from the latest GST rise if it legalised, regulated and taxed cannabis sales. “Responsible cannabis users would be happy to pay a tax on what they bought if it meant not being threatened by criminalisation any longer,” Acting President of NORML NZ, Stephen McIntyre, said today. “Cannabis enforcement cost the Police $116 million in 2005/06.* These costs would be largely avoided…
Posted inAbout NORML Press releases

The Cannabis Magazine They Tried To Ban – Is Back!

Cannabis law reform magazine Norml News, which both Police and Internal Affairs recently tried to ban, has just released its Winter/Spring 2010 issue, including revelations about how and why the magazine nearly got permanently suppressed. “Immediately prior to the Operation Lime raids in April, police went to the Dept of Internal Affairs and discussed the magazine,” Editor Chris Fowlie said today. “Soon after, Internal Affairs requested a ban on…
Posted inPress releases

Cannabis Armistice Tour Kicks Off

Press Release: Dakta Green Stage three of the cannabis Armistice Tour kicks off on Wednesday, August 11 and will cover the entire country before a hikoi to Parliament on Armistice Day, November 11. Dakta Green, founder of Auckland's cannabis club The Daktory, will be driving Maryjane the Cannabus, along with an entourage of support vehicles in a three month tour commencing at 11:00 am with a ceremony beneath the…