Press Releases
Viewing by tag: law reform-
New UMR poll shows overwhelming support for medical cannabis law change, says NORML
posted on the August 29th, 2016 by Chris
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 […]
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Cannabis utensils law review – have your say to legalise pipes and bongs
posted on the August 3rd, 2016 by norml
Submissions are open now – get yours in by Tuesday, 20 September 2016. Good news! The law banning the importation and sale of harm-reducing cannabis pipes, bongs and vaporisers may be changed. In a new discussion document, the NZ Ministry of Health has noted that drug issues are “health matters that need to be addressed proportionately, compassionately and […]
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Sign the Rose Renton Petition for Medicinal Cannabis
posted on the March 22nd, 2016 by Chris
Kiwis urgently need safe legal access to affordable high quality medicinal cannabis. Rose Renton, mother of Alex Renton and cannabis law reform campaigner, has launched a petition that is backed by NORML and other NZ law reform groups. Download the petition here or right-click the image below, save to your computer, and print it out. […]
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NORML Offers Qualified Support for Binding Referendum on Medicinal Cannabis – But Would Prefer Government Acts Now
posted on the January 15th, 2016 by Chris
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 […]
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Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog – Even one cannabis arrest is one too many
posted on the July 23rd, 2015 by Chris
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 […]
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NZ Herald poll: majority want cannabis made legal or decriminalised
posted on the June 28th, 2014 by norml
A New Zealand Herald poll confirms increasing support for cannabis law reform. The poll follows New Zealand’s experiment with legally regulating Psychoactive Substances, widespread media coverage of medicinal cannabis, and increased awareness of law reform overseas including in Colorado, Washington, and Uruguay. The Herald poll shows a majority of voters want to see cannabis either […]
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2014 Law Reform Conference and NORML AGM – Sat 14 June in Wellington
posted on the May 8th, 2014 by Chris
NORML NZ Conference and AGM Saturday 14 June 2014, 9:30am to 5pm Hotel Mercure, 345 The Terrace, Wellington. Join us for our annual cannabis law reform conference – with cannabis reforms in Colorado, Washington and Uruguay, as well as review of the UN drug treaties, and NZ’s ongoing debate about regulating synthetic cannabis substitutes (and […]
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84% of Kiwis support cannabis law reform, says Campbell Live poll
posted on the April 18th, 2014 by norml
On 16 April 2014, TV3’s Campbell Live asked viewers “Is it time to decriminalise marijuana for personal use?” In a staggering result, the poll showed 84 percent of you said yes it should be, while 16 percent said no. Of course, the poll follows the spotlight Campbell Live has shone on synthetic cannabis, and the […]
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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 Craccum, Issue 04 2013 I sit in a small shop back room. A flowerless vase with dirty green water squats conspicuously in the corner. Music […]
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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 […]