Reefer Madness follows criticism of cannabis referendum bill

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Posted inChris Fowlie's Blog Press releases Referendum

Reefer Madness follows criticism of cannabis referendum bill

The Nope brigade is a coalition of busy bodies, wowsers and moralists that includes Family First and Bob McCroskie, a bunch of conservative small town religious leaders, owners of drug testing companies who stand to lose much of their income, and the US anti-cannabis lobby group SAM, which has lost most cannabis reform campaigns in US states.
Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Police prosecuting “Green Fairies” who provide medicinal cannabis

New Zealand police have busted at least three "Green Fairies" - providers of medicinal cannabis to patients who need it, often for little or no charge - including well known activist Rose Renton. Police have previously tacitly given approval by generally not busting patients and providers who have been in the media or campaigning for change, including the late Helen Kelly and others. This has sent a signal to…

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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,…
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…

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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…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

NORML and Family First agree NZ’s medicinal cannabis policies need to change

NORML is pleased to note that the conservative group Family First is calling for reforms to our outdated policies around medicinal cannabis. In their recent press release, Family First says they are now calling for: the expansion of research into the components of the marijuana plant for delivery via non-smoked forms. (Supported by NZMA) the establishment of an emergency or research program that allows seriously ill patients to obtain non-smoked…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Synthetics ban won’t work if cannabis remains illegal, says drug law reform group

The Government's intention to ban the remaining synthetic substitutes won't work if cannabis remains illegal. "The more risky synthetic substances are only demanded because consumers can't legally use natural cannabis," says Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for NORML (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc). "The false demand for synthetic products will only be reduced when real, natural, cannabis is finally legalised in New Zealand like it…
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

New pipe ban will increase harm to cannabis consumers, and encourages users of legal synthetics to smoke more

The Government will increase harm by further restricting the sale, supply and importation of drug harm reduction equipment. "This National-led Government seems to be encouraging use of the more harmful synthetics over safer natural cannabis. Now it is increasing harm even more, by forcing them to smoke larger amounts," said Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc. The Misuse of…
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases Research

The Media Should Stop Pretending Marijuana’s Risks Are a Mystery — The Science Is Clear

We now know as much about cannabis as we know about alcohol, tobacco and many prescription drugs. Speaking recently with the Los Angeles Times, UCLA professor and former Washington state "pot czar" Mark Kleiman implied that we as a society are largely ignorant when it comes to the subject of weed. Speaking with Times columnist Patt Morrison, Kleiman stated, “I keep saying we don't know nearly as much about cannabis as…
Posted inPress releases Research

Is Your Mayor in the Marijuana Majority?

by Erik Altieri & Chris Fowlie On TV3's The Vote, New Zealanders voted 70-28 to decriminalise cannabis. While the show and poll are memorable for the overwhelming support shown for alternatives to prohibition, it was clear the opposing team were out of touch and none more so than Timaru's mayor Janie Annear. Now, you can join NORML and our friends at the Marijuana Majority in our efforts to build…
Posted inAbout cannabis For Media & Students Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Five Scientific Conclusions About Cannabis That The Mainstream Media Doesn’t Want You To Know

The government and mainstream media like to push studies touting the purported dangers of marijuana, while ignoring scientific evidence that demonstrates the opposite, writes Paul Armentano. While studies touting the purported dangers of cannabis are frequently pushed by the federal government and, therefore, all but assured mainstream media coverage, scientific conclusions rebutting pot propaganda or demonstrating potential positive aspects of the herb often tend to go unnoticed. Here are five…
Posted inAbout cannabis Press releases

Problems with cannabis potency claims

New Zealand Police are complaining that domestic cannabis has apparently "quadrupled in strength". Aside from the obvious point that if cannabis is stronger consumers don't need to smoke as much, there are several problems with this claim. We thought the NZ Drug Foundation covered it well: http://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/mythbusters/cannabis-potency Cannabis potency Thursday, November 25, 2010 “New Zealand now has super-strength [cannabis] strains… the drug is now more than four times stronger…
Posted inAbout cannabis Drug Testing Press releases

Drug driving campaign may backfire

NORML supports efforts to reduce impairment on the roads, and our own "Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use" invoke a no-driving clause. However, like with alcohol it is important to distinguish between use and impairment. Furthermore, efforts to reduce the use of drugs may actually backfire by encouraging more use of alcohol, a far more dangerous substance that encourages risk-taking behaviour. "The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has this week…
Posted inMedicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Medical Council wrong, says NORML

Contrary to what the Medical Council says, cannabis is not illegal if used with a license or prescription, says cannabis law reform group NORML. "This is the same as with opiates such as morphine which are commonly prescribed," said spokesperson Chris Fowlie. "Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act is for issuing licenses. One of the conditions in the associated regulations is to have the written support of…