2024 North and South Editions: Saturday 4th May and Saturday 7th December

Show your support for cannabis law reform. Come to J Day, a free annual community event celebrating Aotearoa’s Kiwi cannabis culture and protesting against prohibition.

Supporting Medical Cannabis * Adult Use * Hemp * Human Rights * Freedom of Choice * Anti-Prohibition

J Day is a worldwide protest against prohibition and a celebration of Kiwi cannabis culture, held every year since we began in 1992 (except it was not held in 2020 due to Covid).

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 in a park or suitable location.

J Day is where you can meet like minded people, relax without fear, learn how you can help make cannabis legal, join NORML and meet us too!

South Island – CHRISTCHURCH – Latimer Square – Saturday 4th May 2024

R18 event | Free | High Noon to 4:20pm | No alcohol or glass

CHRISTCHURCH J DAY at Latimer Square features music, entertainment and guest speakers, presented with the support of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, who organise and run this event.

North Island – AUCKLAND – Albert Park – Saturday 7th December 2024

R18 event | Free | High Noon to 4:20pm | No alcohol or glass

AUCKLAND J DAY at Albert Park features music, entertainment and guest speakers, on the mighty JAFA Mafia sound system, plus a huge array of market stalls and community information booths. Lineup TBC. Auckland J Day is presented with the support of The Hempstore, whose staff organise and run the event on NORML’s behalf.

Why support cannabis law reform at J Day

Cannabis is a natural plant that has been used for centuries by many cultures for medicinal, spiritual and recreational purposes. It is also one of the most widely used substances in New Zealand, with about 80% of adults having tried it But under our current laws, it is illegal and criminalised. We need a new approach: a legal, regulated and controlled cannabis market that puts public health and safety first.

7 reasons why NZ should legalise cannabis

Money: Save police and justice resources, and generate revenue by taxing cannabis sales
Reduce harm: ensure cannabis products are tested, labelled and sold only to adults
Medical: improve access and reduce costs
Human rights: let people grow their own at home
Economic development: unlock the full potential of hemp
Environment: encouraging organic and sustainable cultivation
Social justice: expunge past convictions and support affected communities

Come to J Day to show your support. Contact us for more information or to get involved.

For more information including the latest news

How you can help

Spread the word – online and in real life. Share our artwork above by right-clicking or tap and save.
Help organise a local event
Roll up and bring your buddies – save the date and bring a crew
Be responsible and dress to impress – don’t give the haters any reason to hate us
Donate to NORML – J Day costs $1000’s to put on, we need your support to keep doing this
Join NORML – we need more helpers and activists, urgently!
Help put up posters or distribute our J Day fliers
Volunteer to help on the day – at the information booth, helping set up, tidying afterwards, crowd marshalls… contact your local J Day organiser to see what they need help with
Bring a sign or banner or wear your favourite cannabis/hemp t shirt
Support our supporters – buy something from the stalls, choose to shop at our sponsors
Want to help, or get involved? Got a great idea or resources to contribute? Please contact us.

Market stall spaces are limited. To apply, please complete this form and we will get back to you. All market spaces must be pre-booked. Limited spaces available, subject to our T&Cs. Unconfirmed market stalls will be declined entry.

Harm Reduction and Responsible Use

If you choose to use cannabis, know how it may affect your body and how you can reduce any harm. Cannabis has health benefits and is used medicinally however you may also experience harm from smoking or other methods of ingestion. Please read NORML’s cannabis harm reduction advice before coming.

At J Day, we like to model good behaviour including the responsible use of cannabis. Living like cannabis is legal means following the rules that will inevitably be in place when cannabis is made legal. NORML’s Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use include:

Adults only – no underage use
No driving while impaired
Resist abuse
Consider your set and setting
Respect the rights of others

J Day is held outdoors in a park. There are currently no special Covid restrictions on outdoor events. However due to the ongoing presence of Covid in the community we ask everyone to act responsibly and safely, by:

not sharing saliva on joints or pipes;
if you like to share, using a ‘chillum’ hand hold, or Mouthpeace-style filter, to avoid sharing saliva
wearing a face mask, if you feel the need;
staying home if unwell, symptomatic, or told to isolate.