Press Releases
Viewing Category: Law Reform-
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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Obama Acknowledges Cannabis To Be Less Harmful Than Booze
posted on the January 24th, 2014 by norml
Washington, DC: Consuming cannabis is less harmful to the individual than is drinking alcohol, US President Barack Obama acknowledged this week in an interview with The New Yorker. Responding to questions regarding the public’s growing support in favor of legalizing the plant, the President stated: “As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a […]
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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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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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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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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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NORML’s Chris Fowlie talks legalisation in Colorado and how it might apply to NZ, with Newstalk’s Jack Tame
posted on the April 20th, 2013 by Chris
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/player/ondemand/948590092-world-cannabis-week-to-take-over-colorado World Cannabis Week to take over Colorado New Zealander Chris Fowlie researches cannabis use and cultivation, and he talks to Jack Tame in Colorado, where the drug is legal and celebrating that this weekend. Click to listen in external player or download the mp3 here
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Craccum: Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie
posted on the April 3rd, 2013 by Chris
This interview with NORML president Chris Fowlie appeared in Craccum, the University of Auckland student’s magazine, issue 04, 2013. Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie By Alex Donaldson · In Columns, Issue 04 2013 I sit in a small shop back room. A flowerless vase with dirty green water squats […]
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Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group
posted on the March 11th, 2013 by Chris
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 […]
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Cannabis legalisation in US shows opportunity for NZ tourism
posted on the November 18th, 2012 by norml
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 […]
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USA: Six States To Decide On Marijuana Measures On Election Day
posted on the November 2nd, 2012 by norml
Historic Propositions to Legalize Personal Use Amounts of Cannabis For All Adults Hold Double Digit Leads In Colorado and Washington Washington, DC: Millions of voters will decide on Election Day in favor of ballot measures to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis by adults. Voters in three states – Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – […]
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Regulation will reduce teen cannabis use, says NORML
posted on the September 3rd, 2012 by 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 […]
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NORML to hotbox UK Parliament
posted on the July 17th, 2012 by norml
Medicinal marijuana users from the Netherlands are planning to hold a smoking protest outside the Houses of Parliament as part of a new campaign to push for the decriminalisation of cannabis in the UK. The publicity stunt is the brainchild of Norml, a US-based campaign group which has opened its first British chapter. Founded more […]
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Norml president surveys MPs
posted on the March 6th, 2012 by norml
The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) is conducting a survey of all members of Parliament. Norml president Julian Crawford sent the following survey to MPs along with stamped self addressed envelopes. “It is important for our membership to know where each and every MP stands on cannabis and hemp related issues,” […]
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Medical Cannabis Laws Have No Discernable Adverse Impact On Adolescents’ Pot Use
posted on the February 14th, 2012 by norml
by Paul Armentano, US NORML Deputy Director The enactment of state laws allowing for the limited legal use of cannabis by qualified patients has little to no causal effect on broader marijuana use, according to data published online in the journal Annals of Epidemiology. Investigators at McGill University in Montreal obtained state-level estimates of marijuana […]
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Canada’s Liberal Party votes to legalise
posted on the January 18th, 2012 by norml
Canada’s Liberal Party, the country’s oldest registered political party, has overwhelmingly adopted a policy of supporting the regulation and taxation of cannabis commerce, something New Zealand’s conservative government should also consider. The Liberals have often been the governing party in Canada, and have previously attempted several times to introduce legislation to legalise, regulate and tax […]
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Ban on Low Risk Drugs should be Temporary, says NORML
posted on the August 2nd, 2011 by Phil
Drug law reform organisation NORML says the government’s temporary ban on synthetic cannabis provides time for proper consideration of the Law Commission’s report issued in May. “Low risk drugs like cannabis and party pills should be regulated, not banned”, says Acting President Phil Saxby. “The huge popularity of party pills before they were banned is […]
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Law Commission report: Driving Problems Underground is not the Answer
posted on the May 4th, 2011 by Phil
Drug law reform organisation NORML says the Law Commission’s report issued today is still within the prohibition mindset, even though it contains some good recommendations. Banning more substances, as proposed, will only drive problems underground, says Acting President Phil Saxby. “The Commission accepts that NZ should shift the focus towards health solutions and away from […]
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Law Commission report agrees: “Too Many Smokers to Arrest!”
posted on the May 3rd, 2011 by Phil
Drug Law Reform organisation NORML finds some recognition from the Law Commission of its current slogan, “Too many smokers to arrest!” “The Law Commission says 400,000 Kiwis use cannabis each year (14.7% of adults), which supports our campaign theme of “Too many smokers to arrest,” says NORML Acting President Phil Saxby. The Law Commission argues […]