Posted inLaw Reform Research

NORML’s Chris Fowlie talks legalisation in Colorado and how it might apply to NZ, with Newstalk’s Jack Tame

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
Craccum: Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie
Posted inLaw Reform

Craccum: Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie

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 posters from the likes of Ragga Muffin and Katchafire litter the walls. The shelves…

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Posted inAbout NORML Dr Phil's blog Law Reform

Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group

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 of NORML from 1997-2008 during which time NZ came tantalisingly close to cannabis law…

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Posted inAbout cannabis About NORML Dr Phil's blog

Cannabis legalisation in US shows opportunity for NZ tourism

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 attitude and relaxed atmosphere. "New Zealand has the highest rate of cannabis use in…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

USA: Six States To Decide On Marijuana Measures On Election Day

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 - will decide on statewide ballot measures to legalize the possession and distribution of cannabis…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Regulation will reduce teen cannabis use, says 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 the lowest rate of teen cannabis use. “New Zealand needs to take a leaf…
Posted inAbout cannabis About NORML Law Reform

NORML to hotbox UK Parliament

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 than three decades ago, the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has…
Posted inAbout cannabis About NORML For Media & Students

Norml president surveys MPs

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," he said. The survey questions are: 1) Do you support removing penalties for personal…
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medical Cannabis Laws Have No Discernable Adverse Impact On Adolescents’ Pot Use

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 use from the 2002 through 2009 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health.…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Canada’s Liberal Party votes to legalise

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 their multi-billion dollar cannabis trade. At their latest annual conference the Liberals voted by…

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Posted inDr Phil's blog Law Reform Press releases

Ban on Low Risk Drugs should be Temporary, says NORML

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 an indication that young people want access to safe, legal psychoactive drugs. Banning them…

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Posted inDr Phil's blog Law Reform Press releases

Law Commission report: Driving Problems Underground is not the Answer

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 criminal sanctions. But its proposals for banning all psychoactive substances will only increase health…

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Posted inDr Phil's blog Law Reform Press releases

Law Commission report agrees: “Too Many Smokers to Arrest!”

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 for a “more holistic” approach to personal drug use, advocating more funding for treatment…
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…