Posted inCampaign Events Press releases
J Day 2019 “May the 4th be with you”
This year, 2019, J Day is on "Star Wars Day", May the Forth (get it?). NORML and friends are organising free events around New Zealand.
Posted inAbout NORML Campaign Events
Cannabis Referendum Conference and NORML AGM – Wellington, 9-10 November 2018
Join us in Wellington this 9-10 November for the Cannabis Referendum Conference and NORML AGM double-header! Cannabis Referendum Conference Friday, 9 November 2018 from 08:30-18:00 James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor 147 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand 6140 Register NOW at Eventfinder.co.nz See our Facebook event page The Cannabis Referendum Coalition invites serious advocates and campaigners to join us in Wellington for our inaugural conference - to learn and plan with…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Pots for Patients – rally on Queen St, Auckland, Saturday 4th August
Rally and Art Installation calling for a Moratorium on Medicinal Cannabis Patients and their supporters until the Laws are altered. Decorate your terracotta pots commemorating patients denied safe access to affordable botanical cannabis and bring them to Aotea Square placing them on the grass amongst the others. Enjoy balm demonstrations, gentle reggae tunes and inspirational speakers. Another collaborative action between Auckland Patients Group and NORML NZ. The Medical Cannabis Art…
Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills
With three bills before Parliament this year, medicinal cannabis advocates are calling for cross-party support for sensible solutions. Changes to the Government's medicinal cannabis bill don't go far enough, while the National Party's proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available. The Green Party's bill was defeated earlier this year. “Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first," said Rebecca Reider, who has suffered from debilitating…
Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.
The Government's medicinal cannabis bill is back before parliament today - with MPs being urged to do what's best for patients, not politics. Responding to reports the National Party intends to withdraw their support for the bill, and introduce a private member's bill in the name of Shane Reti, NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie noted there is no guarantee that will ever be heard by parliament as it may never be drawn from the…
Posted inCampaign Events Press releases
Cannabis referendum: Bring it on, says NORML
Cannabis campaigners have welcomed news today the Government is considering bringing forward the binding referendum on legalising cannabis to next year, 2019, rather than during the 2020 general election. "Bring it on," said Chris Fowlie, president of NORML New Zealand Inc. "A solid majority of New Zealand adults support law reform and people are telling us they don't want to wait any longer." "The government needs to keep up…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
We’re all human: A cannabis patient’s report from Parliament By Rebecca Reider
BY REBECCA REIDER It was one of those days for remembering why I’m alive and why I’m in this fight. Wow. I traveled to speak at Parliament twice last month – once on behalf of NORML, and then once on behalf of myself. I did not realise beforehand how powerful these experiences would be. The first time I arrived at Parliament for the hearings, I actually started crying as…
MEDIA RELEASE: Cannabis patients testify at Parliament
Medicinal cannabis patients and caregivers will be descending on Parliament in large numbers on Monday 30 April to give their testimonies at the Health Select Committee. Hearings on the government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill attracted a reported 2000 submissions, due to widespread discontent with the weakness of the proposed law. Large numbers of patients have confessed to illegal activity in their submissions, creating a tense situation when the Select…
Posted inCampaign Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis
NORML’s submission on the Govt’s medicinal cannabis bill
Hearings on the Government's medicinal cannabis law reform bill continue throughout April and May, with NORML New Zealand delivering on Wednesday 11th April an unsubmissive submission on behalf of impatient patients. NORML's evidence was presented to Parliament's Health Select Committee by Rebecca Reider - a Golden Bay patient who was raided and prosecuted by police, and who subsequently successfully imported cannabis medicines into New Zealand - and Phil Saxby,…
Come to J Day, Saturday 5th May 2018
J Day is a worldwide protest against prohibition and a celebration of Kiwi cannabis culture, held on the first Saturday in May every year. This is the 27th Annual national day of action supporting cannabis law reform, including safe legal access to medicinal cannabis. NORML and our cannabis law reform friends organise free events nationwide to mark the occasion. These usually take the form of music, speeches and stalls…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
NORML’s guide to making an effective submission on the 2018 Medicinal Cannabis Bill
Parliament’s Health Select Committee is accepting submissions on the Government’s Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill. Submissions are being accepted now until March 21. >> Download this guide as a handy 2-page PDF << Parliament unanimously voted for the Government's bill, a real sign of the progress we have made. But the bill has been widely criticised for being weak, vague, and not providing enough protection for patients who urgently need…
Posted inCampaign Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Submissions now open on Medicinal Cannabis Bill (deadline 21 March 2018)
Parliament unanimously passed the Government's Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill, and the Health Select Committee has wasted no time in opening submissions from the public. NORML will be writing a submission on the Bill, and this is your opportunity to also support safe legal access to medicinal cannabis! How to make a submission Read the Parliamentary guide to making a submission. NORML has produced a guide to making your submission…
Action alert: Medicinal cannabis reform in NZ is on the line this week – your voice is needed.
What’s happening: The first vote on Green MP Chloe Swarbrick’s medicinal cannabis bill is on Wed, Jan 31st. It’s going to be a conscience vote, meaning MPs can vote on their personal conscience, rather than along party lines. Why it’s important: Medicinal cannabis has proven benefits for numerous health conditions. Even if you don’t need it yourself, you’re likely to know someone who will need it one day. This bill is…
Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further
Medicinal cannabis advocates say patients will be both pleased and disappointed with the Bill introduced today by Health Minister David Clark. “The Bill is a huge step in the right direction, and a first for any New Zealand government," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for NORML New Zealand Inc, "but we think a truly patient-focused approach should go much further." The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill will enable…
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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Medicinal Use of Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis: good news, bad news
By Chris Fowlie. Originally published on The Daily Blog, 14 Dec 2017. Good news! The Labour-led Government will introduce legislation to "legalise medicinal cannabis", this side of Christmas. Bad news! Based on early hints about the content of the reform, patients are fearful about whether the changes will go far enough and whether they will have to continue to resort to criminal activity. During the election, Labour used an image of herbal…
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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform
When it comes to legalising medicinal cannabis, what would Helen Kelly do?
The Labour Government says it will introduce legislation within 100 days to legalise medicinal cannabis, but what does that actually mean, and would Helen Kelly approve? By Chris Fowlie - originally published on The Daily Blog, 9 Dec 2017 The test of any proposed new law should be, "What would Helen Kelly want?" Hint: it's not expensive pharmaceutical derivatives. In case anyone needs reminding, this is what Helen said: "Cannabis is…
Posted inCampaign Events Law Reform
Relaxed cats wanted
DO YOU SUPPORT LAW REFORM? We are looking for some social media savvy people to help us out on a little project. We are looking for people who are: on multiple social media platforms regularly (facebook, twitter, instagram etc) have some time to spare have calm and friendly personalities (relaxed!) If this sounds like you and you would like to contribute to achieving law reform, email sandra@norml.org.nz