Predictions for 2024
Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform

Predictions for 2024

On 95bFM's weekly Marijuana Media show, NORML's Chris Fowlie made a few predictions for 2024. Check the pot-cast for more! The current settings won’t change. See: Luxon (above), election campaign, coalition agreements, 100 day plan. This is good news! The Medical Cannabis Scheme will remain, with access to flower; police discretion will stay in place; substance checking is safe. Labour also won’t do anything this year, but expect some testing…
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.
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.
Medicinal cannabis wins and polls point to cannabis referendum’s recipe for success
Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medicinal cannabis wins and polls point to cannabis referendum’s recipe for success

Improvements to New Zealand’s new medicinal cannabis scheme – together with recent polling – suggest how we can win the cannabis referendum, writes Chris Fowlie. Originally published on The Daily Blog There has been much criticism of the medicinal cannabis scheme, and some of it justified. Patients can’t grow their own. So far, products have been more expensive than they could be. The dealings of middle class businessmen has…
Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills
Posted inCampaign Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Cross-party support needed on medicinal cannabis – response to Govt and National Party medicinal cannabis bills

With three bills before Parliament this year, medicinal cannabis advocates are calling for cross-party support for sensible solutions. Changes to the Government's medicinal cannabis bill don't go far enough, while the National Party's proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available. The Green Party's bill was defeated earlier this year. “Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first," said Rebecca Reider, who has suffered from debilitating…