Press Releases
Viewing Category: Law Reform-
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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NZ Herald poll: majority want cannabis made legal or decriminalised
posted on the June 28th, 2014 by norml
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 […]
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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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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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84% of Kiwis support cannabis law reform, says Campbell Live poll
posted on the April 18th, 2014 by norml
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 […]
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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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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 Craccum, Issue 04 2013 I sit in a small shop back room. A flowerless vase with dirty green water squats conspicuously in the corner. Music […]
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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 […]