Press Releases

Viewing by tag: prohibition harms

  • 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 […]

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

    posted on the May 20th, 2016 by 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 […]

  • Chris Fowlie on The Daily Blog: One of many punished and not supported

    posted on the June 25th, 2015 by Chris

    Originally published on The Daily Blog, 25 June 2015 This Friday 26 June is global “Support, don’t punish” day, which aims to focus attention on the harmful aspects of criminal drug laws while calling for more support for those drug users who need it.  In the Auckland District Court this week I saw a cannabis activist persecuted by […]

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

    posted on the April 15th, 2014 by Chris

    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 […]

  • NORML’s Position on ‘legal highs’ & the Psychoactive Substances Act

    posted on the March 26th, 2014 by Chris

    NORML supports the intention of the Psychoactive Substances Act It should be widened to cover all low-risk drugs including cannabis Legalising and regulating cannabis is the most effective way of closing down the market for synthetic cannabis The idea of legalising and regulating low risk drugs instead of trying to ban them is one that […]

  • 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 […]

  • 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 […]

  • New Zealand still the world’s top consumer of cannabis

    posted on the March 22nd, 2013 by Chris

    New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of using cannabis in the world, according to the United Nation’s 2012 World Drug Report. In 2010 (the most recent year for which international data was available), marijuana consumption was most prevalent in Australia and New Zealand, with the United States and Canada tied for second, followed […]

  • 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 […]

  • Aussie Gangs and Drugs – Prohibition is Great for Business & Increasing Violence

    posted on the January 29th, 2011 by norml

    Aussie biker gangs like the Rebels gain power through violence and trafficking in illegal drugs; that means prohibition is great for business and will only help them get a stake established more quickly in New Zealand. “It isn’t surprising that a gang like the Rebels is looking at starting an operation here,” says NORML President […]

  • Restore Public Trust in Police – Stop Criminalising Cannabis

    posted on the January 20th, 2011 by norml

    The New Zealand public needs to have its confidence restored in the police and the quickest way for that to happen is to stop criminalising cannabis. “The announcement this week of Police Commissioner Rob Pope’s resignation signals a healthy change in the nature of Police culture,” said NORML NZ President Stephen McIntyre today. “But over […]

  • New Police Policy of ‘Two Strikes’ Will Hit Maori Hard

    posted on the December 13th, 2010 by norml

    NORML NZ says a new police programme whereby first-time offenders caught committing minor crimes are being let off with a warning will hit young male Maori hard, calling it a policy of ‘two strikes and you’re out’. “We already know that Maori in general, but young male Maori in particular, are more likely to be […]

  • John Key is right: pipe ban is unworkable

    posted on the November 30th, 2010 by norml

    “Prime Minister John Key is right to not support the banning of pipes and vapourisers,” says NORML NZ President, Stephen McIntyre. “He acknowledges that these devices can be used for “genuine and practical reasons”, making a ban unpopular and unworkable.” On RNZ Morning Report today, John Key said: “While people use those implements for the […]

  • Prohibition of cannabis counter-productive

    posted on the October 7th, 2010 by Chris

    The International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP) today released a new research report that demonstrates the clear failure of U.S. marijuana prohibition and supports calls for evidence-based models to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis. The British Medical Journal, one of the world’s most influential medical journals, published a supportive commentary to […]

  • The Cannabis Magazine They Tried To Ban – Is Back!

    posted on the August 15th, 2010 by Chris

    Cannabis law reform magazine Norml News, which both Police and Internal Affairs recently tried to ban, has just released its Winter/Spring 2010 issue, including revelations about how and why the magazine nearly got permanently suppressed. “Immediately prior to the Operation Lime raids in April, police went to the Dept of Internal Affairs and discussed the […]