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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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J Day 2025: 3rd May in CHCH, 6th Dec in AKLD
Posted inCampaign Events Press releases

J Day 2025: 3rd May in CHCH, 6th Dec in AKLD

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.
Posted by norml March 28, 2025
#TokeTheVote2020: ranking party cannabis policies

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Events

#TokeTheVote2020: ranking party cannabis policies

NORML's guidance for those who toke and vote, and to those who are voting Yes and want the referendum Bill to be supported in the next Parliament.
Posted by Chris October 14, 2020

National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc (1980). We work to end cannabis prohibition.

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  • FBI: Marijuana Possession Arrests Comprised Over 20% of All Drug-Related Arrests in 2024 October 15, 2025
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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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