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National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand (Inc). Working to end prohibition, since 1980.

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Contesting a cannabis chargeHelp yourself – not the law The most important thing is to know your rights and understand the law. If you’ve made the choice to use cannabis, you should understand how the law works so you can minimise any negative consequences of arrest, prosecution and/or incarceration. First, take a few minutes right now to read the Your Rights page in the Main Menu on the left. Even if you’ve read it before, or think you know your rights already, do it again. Go on, do it now. One or two can pretend to be cops and the rest can be some mates they want to hassle. Practice declining consent for a search by saying “No I do not consent to a search, what is your lawful authority?” (remember, silence is taken to mean consent, so you must voice your refusal to consent to the search, even if they have a warrant or invoke the MDA s18). Practice remembering all the details (everything that was done and said) which will really help if it happens for real and you need to go to court. Practice keeping your mouth shut and not making statements. This will help make it second nature if…Help yourself – not the law The most important thing is to know your rights and understand the law. If you’ve made the choice to use cannabis, you should understand how the law works so you can minimise any negative consequences of arrest, prosecution and/or incarceration. First, take a few minutes right now to read the Your Rights page in the Main Menu on the left. Even if you’ve read it before, or think you know your rights already, do it again. Go on, do it now. One or two can pretend to be cops and the rest can be some mates they want to hassle. Practice declining consent for a search by saying “No I do not consent to a search, what is your lawful authority?” (remember, silence is taken to mean consent, so you must voice your refusal to consent to the search, even if they have a warrant or invoke the MDA s18). Practice remembering all the details (everything that was done and said) which will really help if it happens for real and you need to go to court. Practice keeping your mouth shut and not making statements. This will help make it second nature if…
Drug TestingSTUDY FINDS MARIJUANA USE LOWERS ACCIDENT RISK By Chris Fowlie (Norml News Autumn 2009) Testing urine for cannabis does not improve on-the-job safety. It not only fails to measure impairment, a new study confirms cannabis users have an even lower accident risk than straight people. The entire reasoning for drug testing workers and drivers is based on the assumption that any use will cause impairment and therefore users would endanger themselves and others around them. Now a new study has undermined the rationale for drug testing workers, by showing that the use of cannabis actually reduced the risk of accidents. Investigators at the Luasanne University Hospital in Switzerland assessed the association between the use of cannabis and/or alcohol and the risk of injury among 486 patients aged 16 and older treated for various injuries. They found alcohol use in the six hours prior to injury was associated with a three-fold elevated relative risk compared with no alcohol use, but cannabis use was inversely related to risk of injury, with only 0.33 the risk compared to no use. Cannabis users had less injuries and were actually safer than alcohol drinkers or even straight people. Despite the study’s relatively small sample size,…STUDY FINDS MARIJUANA USE LOWERS ACCIDENT RISK By Chris Fowlie (Norml News Autumn 2009) Testing urine for cannabis does not improve on-the-job safety. It not only fails to measure impairment, a new study confirms cannabis users have an even lower accident risk than straight people. The entire reasoning for drug testing workers and drivers is based on the assumption that any use will cause impairment and therefore users would endanger themselves and others around them. Now a new study has undermined the rationale for drug testing workers, by showing that the use of cannabis actually reduced the risk of accidents. Investigators at the Luasanne University Hospital in Switzerland assessed the association between the use of cannabis and/or alcohol and the risk of injury among 486 patients aged 16 and older treated for various injuries. They found alcohol use in the six hours prior to injury was associated with a three-fold elevated relative risk compared with no alcohol use, but cannabis use was inversely related to risk of injury, with only 0.33 the risk compared to no use. Cannabis users had less injuries and were actually safer than alcohol drinkers or even straight people. Despite the study’s relatively small sample size,…
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National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc (1980). We work to end cannabis prohibition.

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2020 Cannabis Referendum
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Crappy Birthday, MoDA! 50 years of misuse of drugs laws
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NZ’s Drug Driving law passes, with only Green and Te Pati Maori MPs opposed
Roll up for Auckland J Day – Sat 7th December in Albert Park
NORML’s Submission on the Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill 2024
Balance the books with $2.8b tax from legal cannabis
Testing times for drivers: National’s new drug-driving law won’t detect impaired drivers & could see innocents prosecuted
J Day 2024 – North and South Island Editions
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Urgent Action Needed To End US Marijuana Arrests October 21, 2025
Supreme Court To Decide Whether Federal Gun Ban Applies to Cannabis Consumers October 20, 2025
Wisconsin: 12th Most Populated County Reduces Marijuana Possession Penalties to $1 Fine October 20, 2025
FBI: Marijuana Possession Arrests Comprised Over 20% of All Drug-Related Arrests in 2024 October 15, 2025
Analysis: Adult-Use Marijuana Legalization Associated With Fewer Opioid Overdose Deaths October 14, 2025

More Headlines
New Zealand: Oped: Canada's Legalisation Experience October 15, 2020
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New Zealand: Oped: Opinion As Well As Science Informs Policy Advice July 25, 2020
New Zealand: Medical Cannabis Change Welcomed By Northland February 16, 2017
New Zealand: Aging Baby Boomers Increasingly Embrace Marijuana December 27, 2016

Why I haven’t created a tomato-cannabis hybrid - The Spectator Australia October 22, 2025
Rise Dispensary to add recreational marijuana sales in St. Cloud - St. Cloud Times October 22, 2025
China's Innovent Grants Takeda Pharma Rights to Three Cancer Drugs for Record USD11.4 Billion - Yicai Global October 22, 2025
Sister of former Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan ‘fell ill’ and died ‘after taking drugs’ say police - lbc.co.uk October 22, 2025
'Significant Variation in Standards' Found Across UK Medical Cannabis Pharmacies as ACMD Review Call Closes - Cannabis Health News October 22, 2025
Iraq and Syria seize drugs in joint operation against illicit smuggling networks - thenationalnews.com October 22, 2025

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Press releases 149
Referendum 16
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#WhatWouldHelenDo Andrew Little Arrest rates Auckland Chloe Swarbrick Chris Fowlie Christchurch conference doctors driving drug policy drug testing drug war bullshit Dunedin elections events Green Party Hastings health effects j day Labour Party law commission law reform legalisation MakeItLegal medical cannabis Ministry of Health misuse of drugs act norml Opinion Polls parliament Peter Dunne police Political Party cannabis policies prohibition harms rates of use Rebecca Reider Referendum research strategy submissions synthetic cannabinoids Toke The Vote Wellington worldwide weed

Crappy Birthday, MoDA! 50 years of misuse of drugs laws
Sign the Petition supporting Gandalf and other Green Fairies
J Day 2025: 3rd May in CHCH, 6th Dec in AKLD
NZ’s Drug Driving law passes, with only Green and Te Pati Maori MPs opposed
Roll up for Auckland J Day – Sat 7th December in Albert Park
NORML’s Submission on the Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill 2024
Balance the books with $2.8b tax from legal cannabis
Testing times for drivers: National’s new drug-driving law won’t detect impaired drivers & could see innocents prosecuted
J Day 2024 – North and South Island Editions
Predictions for 2024

About NORML New Zealand Inc.

The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML New Zealand Inc.) works to end cannabis prohibition in New Zealand, and bring about progressive drug policies.

Our mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalise the responsible use of cannabis by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality cannabis that is safe, convenient and affordable.

NORML’s aims are to:

reform our marijuana laws
provide information about cannabis
engage in political action appropriate to our aims
inform people of their rights
give advice and support to the victims of prohibition

NORML New Zealand (Inc) is a non-profit membership-based incorporated society that was formed in New Zealand in 1979 (Incorporated 1980).

PROMOTER STATEMENT: Authorised by NORML New Zealand Inc, 253 Karangahape Road Auckland.

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