Does medical cannabis need a supermarket-style intervention?
Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Does medical cannabis need a supermarket-style intervention?

The Government’s medical cannabis scheme is now in full effect, but strict rules have taken away products that are used by thousands of patients, letting billionaires corner the market and no obvious path for smaller growers. The solution may lie in applying the Commerce Commission’s thinking for supermarkets to the medicinal cannabis sector, with five small changes that could make a big difference.
10 years ago: the Law Commission said repeal the Misuse of Drugs Act
Posted inCampaign Press releases

10 years ago: the Law Commission said repeal the Misuse of Drugs Act

Ten years ago this week, the New Zealand Law Commission recommended repealing the Misuse of Drugs Act, and replacing it with a new Act administered by the Ministry of Health. This was ignored by the previous National government. In 2017 Labour said they would, if elected, "Comprehensively respond... and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975." It still hasn't happened. The Law Commission's report is here: Controlling and Regulating…
Cannabis Referendum’s Volatile Polls Show Every Vote Will Count – As Scientologists and Uncle SAM Exposed Behind Bob’s “Nope” Campaign
Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform

Cannabis Referendum’s Volatile Polls Show Every Vote Will Count – As Scientologists and Uncle SAM Exposed Behind Bob’s “Nope” Campaign

With no public education campaign and widespread confusion over what the referendum will do, it is perhaps unsurprising to see such volatility in opinion polls. What is perhaps more surprising is that the cannabis referendum result could be decided by the least powerful and most disenfranchised members of society. And what should horrify everyone is that foreign interests and religious charlatans are actively working for the Nope campaign fronted by Family First.
Cannabis referendum Bill’s recipe for success
Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Referendum

Cannabis referendum Bill’s recipe for success

With the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, the choice for voters could not be more stark: vote Yes and New Zealand finally gives it a go, with a model that restores privacy to what people do in their own home and limits commercialisation while spreading economic benefits widely, or instead vote No to support a failed model that criminalises young people and enriches organised crime.