Press Releases
Viewing by tag: law reform-
NORML conference, AGM and SGM
posted on the March 10th, 2014 by norml
NORML’s 2014 annual conference is now being organised for May in Wellington. It’s an exciting time for cannabis law reform because of: International developments including legalisation in Uruguay, Colorado and Washington; High level reviews of the UN drug control treaties from this month through to 2016; New Zealand’s National Drug Policy is also being reviewed, […]
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Complete rethink needed of all drug laws
posted on the March 1st, 2014 by norml
NORML has advised the Ministry of Health a complete rethink is needed of all drug control laws and policies. In it’s submission to the discussion document on the New National Drug Policy, New Zealand’s longest running cannabis law reform group said the lack of any willingness to look at first principles, and the missed opportunity […]
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Obama Acknowledges Cannabis To Be Less Harmful Than Booze
posted on the January 24th, 2014 by norml
Washington, DC: Consuming cannabis is less harmful to the individual than is drinking alcohol, US President Barack Obama acknowledged this week in an interview with The New Yorker. Responding to questions regarding the public’s growing support in favor of legalizing the plant, the President stated: “As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a […]
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First legal pot sales in Colorado – and the sky did not fall. Here’s why it’s just a matter of time before pot becomes legal everywhere.
posted on the January 4th, 2014 by norml
The benefits, and common sense, point to cannabis prohibition becoming a thing of the past. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com/Yellowj January 2, 2014 | Tens of thousands of people throughout the nation today will buy cannabis. The difference is that in Colorado, these transactions will be legal, regulated and taxed. The product will be of known quality […]
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Review of the National Drug Policy – submissions close 28 Feb 2014
posted on the December 17th, 2013 by norml
The Ministry of Health has announced on its website that submissions are now open for the review of the National Drug Policy. Download NORML’s submission to the New National Drug Policy here. The previous NDP expired in 2012. NORML’s Chris Fowlie was invited to take part in a “innovation session” in June 2013 to come […]
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Is Your Mayor in the Marijuana Majority?
posted on the May 23rd, 2013 by Chris
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 […]
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NORML’s Chris Fowlie talks legalisation in Colorado and how it might apply to NZ, with Newstalk’s Jack Tame
posted on the April 20th, 2013 by Chris
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/player/ondemand/948590092-world-cannabis-week-to-take-over-colorado World Cannabis Week to take over Colorado New Zealander Chris Fowlie researches cannabis use and cultivation, and he talks to Jack Tame in Colorado, where the drug is legal and celebrating that this weekend. Click to listen in external player or download the mp3 here
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Craccum: Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie
posted on the April 3rd, 2013 by Chris
This interview with NORML president Chris Fowlie appeared in Craccum, the University of Auckland student’s magazine, issue 04, 2013. Drug Diaries – Moving It Forward, An Interview with Chris Fowlie By Alex Donaldson · In Columns, Issue 04 2013 I sit in a small shop back room. A flowerless vase with dirty green water squats […]
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NORML presents the 21st Annual J Day – Sat 4 May, 2013
posted on the March 12th, 2013 by norml
For the 21st year NORML presents J Day: Saturday May 4th, 2013, from high noon. Auckland – Albert Park (in association with Jafa Mafia and The Hempstore) Stage timetable: 11am WrongWay Ray 11.30 J Red 12. Rich Gilbert 12.30 Lowe 1 13.00 Azbo 13.30 Kola (Drunk Elelephant) 14.00 Fj (Jugglin Crew) 14.30 DJ Exile + […]
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Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group
posted on the March 11th, 2013 by Chris
New Zealand should regulate cannabis like alcohol and save at least $300 million per year, says the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc (NORML). At its weekend conference at Tokaanu, delegates elected Chris Fowlie of Auckland as President, and Phil Saxby of Wellington as Secretary. Chris Fowlie was previously President […]
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Medical cannabis laws associated with fewer suicides
posted on the February 25th, 2012 by Chris
“Policymakers weighing the pros and cons of legalization should consider… that (these) laws may lead to fewer suicides among young adult males” New Zealand has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world – especially for young males. We also have the highest rate of cannabis arrests in the world, with police spending […]
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Medical Cannabis Laws Have No Discernable Adverse Impact On Adolescents’ Pot Use
posted on the February 14th, 2012 by norml
by Paul Armentano, US NORML Deputy Director The enactment of state laws allowing for the limited legal use of cannabis by qualified patients has little to no causal effect on broader marijuana use, according to data published online in the journal Annals of Epidemiology. Investigators at McGill University in Montreal obtained state-level estimates of marijuana […]
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Canada’s Liberal Party votes to legalise
posted on the January 18th, 2012 by norml
Canada’s Liberal Party, the country’s oldest registered political party, has overwhelmingly adopted a policy of supporting the regulation and taxation of cannabis commerce, something New Zealand’s conservative government should also consider. The Liberals have often been the governing party in Canada, and have previously attempted several times to introduce legislation to legalise, regulate and tax […]
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Protect Young People By Banning Alcohol Advertising
posted on the February 21st, 2011 by norml
The current system of voluntary self-regulation of alcohol advertising is not working to reduce the harms from excess drinking, especially amongst young people, which is why the glamorization of alcohol through public advertising and sponsorship should be banned. In its submission sent to the Justice and Electoral Committee on the Alcohol Reform Bill, NORML NZ […]