Crappy Birthday, MoDA! 50 years of misuse of drugs laws
Posted inLaw Reform Press releases

Crappy Birthday, MoDA! 50 years of misuse of drugs laws

Do you know the racist origins of New Zealand's drug laws? The 1901 Opium Prohibition Act, banned use only by Chinese people, and Aotearoa’s first alcohol law banned use only by Maori. Such misuse of drugs laws continues to this day, with the law applied unfairly, unevenly, and with no regard to actually helping those the law claims to protect. The 1972-3 Blake Palmer Committee which reviewed the previous…
Come to J Day, Saturday 5th May 2018
Posted inCampaign Events

Come to J Day, Saturday 5th May 2018

J Day is a worldwide protest against prohibition and a celebration of Kiwi cannabis culture, held on the first Saturday in May every year. This is the 27th Annual national day of action supporting cannabis law reform, including safe legal access to medicinal cannabis. NORML and our cannabis law reform friends organise free events nationwide to mark the occasion. These usually take the form of music, speeches and stalls…
NORML New Zealand Inc Annual General Meeting
Posted inAbout NORML Events

NORML New Zealand Inc Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Incorporated (1980). WHEN: Sunday 19th November, 11am to 2pm WHERE: The Hempstore, 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland Notice is hereby given that the 2017 Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Incorporated (1980) will be held at 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland, on Sunday 19th November. The Annual General Meeting is where members elect the Board and perform other administrative tasks required of the…
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…
Medical Cannabis Rally Sat 5 August 2017 – Queen Street Auckland
Posted inEvents Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Medical Cannabis Rally Sat 5 August 2017 – Queen Street Auckland

NORML and Auckland Patient's Group presents their 4th Queen Street RALLY for medical cannabis. SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST 2017, NOON TO 2PM. QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND - OPP. AOTEA SQUARE - CNR OF WAKEFIELD ST. Join us, invited guests and speakers, patients, caregivers and supporters all calling for safe legal access to natural affordable cannabis. The Government's piecemeal changes do not change much for patients, who are still needlessly suffering. Very…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Research

Study: No Increase In Problematic Cannabis Use By Young People Following Changes In Marijuana’s Legal Status

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director. Yet another study has once again affirmed that the regulation of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes is not associated with increases in problematic cannabis use by young people. Writing in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, federal investigators from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration evaluated marijuana use rates among young people (ages 12 to…
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…
J Day this Saturday 6 May, nationwide cannabis law reform events
Posted inEvents Law Reform Press releases

J Day this Saturday 6 May, nationwide cannabis law reform events

Cannabis law reform supporters and advocates will gather for nationwide events on 'J Day' this Saturday 6th May, 2017.  J Day is a worldwide protest against prohibition and a celebration of Kiwi cannabis culture, held on the first Saturday in May every year. This Saturday is the 26th Annual national day of action supporting cannabis law reform, including safe legal access to medicinal cannabis. To mark the occasion NORML and…
Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Legal status of Cannabidiol (CBD)

UPDATED AUGUST 2017 This is a step forward - but just a small step. 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. SUMMARY: GPs and other doctors will be able to prescribe CBD products without needing special approval; CBD products must…
Support NORML
Posted inAbout NORML Events Medicinal Use of Cannabis

NORML AGM Sat 19 November 2016

The Annual General Meeting of NORML New Zealand Inc (1980) will be held from 11am-1pm on Saturday 19 November 2016, at The Hempstore, 253 Karangahape Road, Auckland. [map] The agenda reflects NORML's evolving role to be an "enabler" of cannabis law reform. We don't aim to do everything ourselves. We help others do the good work they are doing and we inspire more to be active, through grants, awards, information,…
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…
It’s 420 Day: NORML presents the Medical Cannabis rally and march this Saturday 23rd April, and J Day on Saturday 7th May 2016.
Posted inEvents Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

It’s 420 Day: NORML presents the Medical Cannabis rally and march this Saturday 23rd April, and J Day on Saturday 7th May 2016.

April 20 is known as "420 Day" in the cannabis community. It is a day to celebrate the plant, including its medicinal and sacramental properties, and raise awareness of calls for law reform. All around the world, including here in New Zealand, there will be random acts of civil disobedience at 4:20pm. NORML New Zealand is using the opportunity to announce two upcoming events: the Medical Cannabis rally and…
Posted inLaw Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis Press releases

Patients can bring legally prescribed medicinal cannabis products into New Zealand

For over 20 years NORML has been advising patients who could afford it to get medicinal cannabis prescribed overseas and bring it back legally. The Misuse of Drugs Act allows any patient traveling to bring with them a personal supply of ANY prescribed drug. All countries have similar clauses, so that, for example, someone from NZ can travel with their painkillers or cancer meds. It also means anyone can…
Posted inEvents Press releases

Druglawed 2 is in production: support it with Kickstarter

NORML New Zealand was proud to be a part of the Druglawed documentary project and excited to help support the production of Druglawed 2. Druglawed 1 featured interviews with a who's-who of NZ cannabis law reform, including NORML board members Chris Fowlie, Phil Saxby, Dakta Green and Geoff Noller. Now, with the help of The Hempstore, we are providing office space for director Arik Reiss and are assisting with…
Posted inFor Media & Students Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

NORML, Peter Dunne and Family First all agree patients should have more access to effective medicinal cannabis. The question is How?

Instead of wasting time and money on years of pharmaceutical-level testing, NORML says we should follow the Australian approach, treat it as a herbal remedy, and immediately allow compassionate access. A TVNZ poll last weekend showed an increase in support for medicinal cannabis, and Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne said if medicinal cannabis is effective, he will back it: "If those products are shown as a result of the normal testing…
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…

Warning: Undefined property: WP_Error::$taxonomy in /raid/home/nznorml/norml/wp-content/themes/bloghash/inc/template-tags.php on line 640
Posted inAbout NORML Dr Phil's blog Law Reform

Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group

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 of NORML from 1997-2008 during which time NZ came tantalisingly close to cannabis law…
Posted inAbout cannabis Law Reform Medicinal Use of Cannabis

USA: Six States To Decide On Marijuana Measures On Election Day

Historic Propositions to Legalize Personal Use Amounts of Cannabis For All Adults Hold Double Digit Leads In Colorado and Washington Washington, DC: Millions of voters will decide on Election Day in favor of ballot measures to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis by adults. Voters in three states - Colorado, Oregon, and Washington - will decide on statewide ballot measures to legalize the possession and distribution of cannabis…