Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.
Posted inCampaign Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Medicinal cannabis bill: Do what is best for patients, MPs urged.

The Government's medicinal cannabis bill is back before parliament today - with MPs being urged to do what's best for patients, not politics. Responding to reports the National Party intends to withdraw their support for the bill, and introduce a private member's bill in the name of Shane Reti, NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie noted there is no guarantee that will ever be heard by parliament as it may never be drawn from the…
Posted inCampaign Events Press releases

Cannabis referendum: Bring it on, says NORML

Cannabis campaigners have welcomed news today the Government is considering bringing forward the binding referendum on legalising cannabis to next year, 2019, rather than during the 2020 general election.  "Bring it on," said Chris Fowlie, president of NORML New Zealand Inc. "A solid majority of New Zealand adults support law reform and people are telling us they don't want to wait any longer." "The government needs to keep up…
Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further
Posted inCampaign Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Medicinal cannabis Bill a step in the right direction, but a patient-focused approach would go further

Medicinal cannabis advocates say patients will be both pleased and disappointed with the Bill introduced today by Health Minister David Clark. “The Bill is a huge step in the right direction, and a first for any New Zealand government," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for NORML New Zealand Inc, "but we think a truly patient-focused approach should go much further." The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill will enable…

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medicinal cannabis: good news, bad news

By Chris Fowlie. Originally published on The Daily Blog, 14 Dec 2017. Good news! The Labour-led Government will introduce legislation to "legalise medicinal cannabis", this side of Christmas. Bad news! Based on early hints about the content of the reform, patients are fearful about whether the changes will go far enough and whether they will have to continue to resort to criminal activity. During the election, Labour used an image of herbal…
When it comes to legalising medicinal cannabis, what would Helen Kelly do?

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Posted inCampaign Chris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform

When it comes to legalising medicinal cannabis, what would Helen Kelly do?

The Labour Government says it will introduce legislation within 100 days to legalise medicinal cannabis, but what does that actually mean, and would Helen Kelly approve? By Chris Fowlie - originally published on The Daily Blog, 9 Dec 2017 The test of any proposed new law should be, "What would Helen Kelly want?" Hint: it's not expensive pharmaceutical derivatives. In case anyone needs reminding, this is what Helen said: "Cannabis is…
Tell your MP what you think about our drug laws

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases

New Zealand Govt to hold cannabis referendum

The new Labour-led government has agreed to hold a binding referendum on legalising cannabis by or at the next election in 2020, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie. After years of denial and obfuscation by the National-led Government, this is a massive opportunity. The world is watching. The referendum is part of the deal between Labour and the Green Party. An email to party members said: Increase funding for alcohol…
Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Medical Cannabis March – the election special! Queen St, Sat 2 Sept 2017

MEDIA RELEASE THURS 31/08/2017 FROM NORML NEW ZEALAND INC & AUCKLAND PATIENTS GROUP Patients, caregivers and supporters of safe legal access to natural affordable cannabis will march down Queen Street in Auckland, this Saturday 2nd September.  The Government's recently announced changes for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, will take effect the following Thursday 7th September. Doctors will no longer require special permission to prescribe cannabidiol products. However there are no authorised…
Cannabidiol to remain a controlled drug: here’s what is changing

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Cannabidiol to remain a controlled drug: here’s what is changing

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced Cannabidiol (CBD) will remain a controlled drug with restrictions expected to be lifted in September so that GPs and other doctors can prescribe CBD to patients without needing special approval. Dunne’s changes will help some patients – eventually – but a lot more could be done, writes Chris Fowlie. SEE NORML'S PAGE ON CANNABIDIOL: norml.org.nz/2017/legal-status-of-cannabidiol-cbd/ CBD will remain a controlled drug, just easier to prescribe. Doctors will be able to prescribe approved…
Posted inEvents Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

“It’s Jacinda over Bill” say organisers of medical cannabis rally – this Saturday 5th August in Auckland

Prospects for cannabis law reform are better under Jacinda Ardern, say organisers of a rally in support of medical cannabis. This Saturday NORML and Auckland Patients Group will rally to support safe legal access to medical cannabis - and against synthetics. National leader Bill English has again ruled out cannabis law reform, even in the face of a spate of deaths from synthetic drugs, however Jacinda Ardern, the new leader of…
Dr Geoff Noller: Cannabis policy too important to be left to the politicians?
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Research

Dr Geoff Noller: Cannabis policy too important to be left to the politicians?

This article by NORML board member Dr Geoff Noller was first published on Stuff.co.nz as part of their series "What if cannabis was legal?" Cannabis policy: Too important to be left to the politicians? (Stuff Nation) Dr Geoff Noller 00:01, July 5 2017 As part of the Stuff series 'What if it was legal?', pro-cannabis reform academic and Norml board member Dr Geoff Noller gives his view on the political landscape…
NORML welcomes The Opportunities Party ‘real deal’ cannabis policy
Posted inPress releases

NORML welcomes The Opportunities Party ‘real deal’ cannabis policy

The Opportunities Party releases cannabis reform policy NORML welcomes the release of The Opportunities Party's "real deal" cannabis policy and says TOP have upped the ante for other parties to now get more specific with what exactly they will do. TOP proposes to have make cannabis legal with a minimum age of purchase of 20, allow adults to grow up to two plants each, prohibit advertising, and license non-profit…
Posted inEvents For Media & Students Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medical Cannabis Rally & March announced for Sat 22 April 2017 in response to Bill English’s oddly ignorant views

Bill English has shown how out of touch he is with the New Zealand population once again, spouting oddly ignorant views on medical cannabis. Despite a vast majority of Kiwis favouring the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, English yesterday unscientifically claimed "large-scale use of marijuana is pretty bad." In response, medicinal cannabis users and allies today are announcing they will march down Queen St later this month, supporting safe legal…

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Drug Testing Press releases

Chris Fowlie: Oh, to joyfully pee in Bill English’s cup!

New Zealand's un-elected Prime Minister has taken a swipe at workers for refusing unfair and intrusive tests of their bodily fluids. We should all be lining up to joyfully pee in Bill English's cup! Not content with checking the pee of beneficiaries, the leader of the Big Business Party has now complained about local workers, blaming their refusal to submit to pee tests for the National Party policy of encouraging record immigration,…
Health Select Committee inquiry into Rose Renton’s medicinal cannabis petition

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Events Law Reform

Health Select Committee inquiry into Rose Renton’s medicinal cannabis petition

Rose Renton's medicinal cannabis petition has been referred to Parliament's Health Select Committee.  By Chris Fowlie (NORML NZ) and Rosie Baird (GreenCross NZ) The petition was presented by Labour MP Damien O'Connor on 12 October. The Health Select Committee will hold an inquiry into the issues raised. One of the most important things that you can do to help cannabis law reform is to make your views known to this…
Suits for Stoners
Posted inAbout NORML Press releases

Suits for Stoners

With NORML's new PledgeMe campaign, Suits for Stoners, you can donate a suit to a poorly attired cannabis activist and see them magically transformed from ignored and belittled nutbar to serious, esteemed lobbyist. That's all it takes! Go to Suits for Stoners on PlegeMe.co.nz now! Cannabis law reform is sooo hot right now. But some people say cannabis activists are all loser stoners who should "get a suit". With so many…
New UMR poll shows overwhelming support for medical cannabis law change, says NORML

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

New UMR poll shows overwhelming support for medical cannabis law change, says NORML

A new poll conducted for cannabis campaigners shows New Zealanders want the law changed now, says NORML.  "What may be surprising to some is that most people want herbal cannabis sold at health food stores for therapeutic purposes, alongside the Marjoram," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc). The poll was conducted by UMR for Start the Conversation from…
Medical Cannabis “review” has failed to protect patients says NORML
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Medical Cannabis “review” has failed to protect patients says NORML

The government's so-called review of the medicinal cannabis access guidelines has failed to protect patients. "These very minor changes will only help a few people, and even these seriously ill people will need to jump through quite a few hoops to have any chance of approval," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML New Zealand Inc). Chris Fowlie recently returned from…
NORML Offers Qualified Support for Binding Referendum on Medicinal Cannabis – But Would Prefer Government Acts Now

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

NORML Offers Qualified Support for Binding Referendum on Medicinal Cannabis – But Would Prefer Government Acts Now

New Zealand's oldest cannabis law reform group has offered qualified support for Helen Kelly's proposal for a binding referendum on medicinal cannabis. Cannabis is useful for treating a wide variety of conditions including pain, nausea, inflammation, cancer, epilepsy and diabetes, and according to Government statistics may be used medically by as many as two hundred thousand New Zealanders. In a candid post on The Standard, former Union boss Helen Kelly…

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases Research

Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog – Even one cannabis arrest is one too many

Originally published on The Daily Blog, 23 July 2015 I’m either stupid or in denial, because apparently the police have already decriminalised weed.  That’s according to an article in the latest issue of Salient, which says “Fowlie focusses on the noise and misses the signal” in a recent post I made here on The Daily Blog. Maybe I was too busy helping victims of cannabis prohibition to have noticed that police…

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases

Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog: Healthy hemp foods kept off shelf by Oz cop roadblock

Originally published on The Daily Blog 8 July 2015 Australian police have convinced politicians to extend the ban on one of most nutritious food sources known, because of concerns about the validity of their roadside drug tests, which they are pushing for New Zealand to adopt.  Hemp seed is one of the best protein sources known, comparable to soy and meat but composed of more beneficial globulin edistin protein, as well…