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NORML News : BC3 extradition hearing delayed Posted by norml on Thursday, July 26 2007 (1969 reads) NORML News, Winter 2007. By Harry Cording. The extradition hearing Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams, known as the BC3, has been postponed till November 5. The three Canadians - arrested in Canada at the behest of the US Drug Enforcement Administration - face 10 years to life in a US federal prison, and Marc could even be executed by the US Government. They are now on bail while the legal system decides their fate. Read More (2199 bytes) |    | NORML News | Score: 0

Press Releases : Drug prohibition a pipe dream destined to fail Posted by norml on Thursday, March 15 2007 (2654 reads) As the Government released a new National Drug Policy, law reformers pointed to two recent reports that had confirmed the dismal failure of drug prohibition. A new report from the UK, a two-year investigation by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, said that drug laws are driven by "moral panic", most drugs have been wrongly "demonised" and argued that "whether we like it or not, drugs are and will remain a fact of life". Read More (2063 bytes) |    | Press Releases | Score: 0

Research : NORML's submission to the National Drug Policy consultation Posted by norml on Friday, June 09 2006 (2780 reads) Submission on the proposed National Drug Policy 2006-2011 By the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc.) 9 June 2006 Submission completed by Chris Fowlie and Phil Saxby, board members of NORML. Read More (30265 bytes) |    | Research | Score: 5

New government more of the same Posted by drstuey on Monday, October 17 2005 (3556 reads) Labour's Dunne Deal attempts to block law reform, but may leave door open to medical use The make-up of the new government has been announced and United Future have forced Labour to not support any legislation to decriminalise the recreational use of cannabis. This may leave the door open for free votes on a private member's bill, for policy changes that do not involve a law change (for example, more use of diversion, or police tolerating possession of small amounts, etc), and the use of the limiting word "recreational" implies that United Future would not block medical cannabis. It is also debatable whether moving cannabis by Order In Council to a lower part of Class C, eg from category C1 to C2 or lower, would constitute "legislative initiatives". Such a move would not require introducing a bill, but would end draconian police search powers and therefore greatly reduce the number of arrests. So despite the apparant block on law reform, there is still a lot that can and should be done. That is where you come in. We will only ever get law reform if MPs know there is strong public support for such a move. So make your voice heard! Got the feeling you've been cheated? Talk about the new government in the Get Active Forum. Read More (2493 bytes) |    | Score: 2

Elections : No more Dread in the House Posted by drstuey on Saturday, October 01 2005 (3262 reads) NORML are absolutely gutted that former NORML activist Nandor Tanczos, narrowly failed to make it back into Parliament after the final election results were announced today. The Greens did increase their percentage vote after specials were counted, but agonisingly fell about 1300 votes short of seeing Nandor elected as their 7th MP. More soon. :-( Share your thoughts on this sad event in the forum (registration required). Or read more for full coverage. Read More (10529 bytes) |    | Elections | Score: 3.5

Election result finalised - email your (new) MP Posted by drstuey on Saturday, October 01 2005 (3701 reads) The final election results were released today and we now know who the MPs for the next three years will be. The NORML MP database has been updated, removing former MPs and adding all the new ones, (21 National, 3 Labour and 4 Maori). The law reform support status graph has been updated. It shows that with all the new MPs, there are now a huge number of "mystery" MP's - those whose views on cannabis law reform we don't know. NORML ask you to email your MP congratulating them on their election, stating your support for pot law reform and asking their view on law reform. All MP's can be emailed using the format firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz (eg helen.clark@parliament.govt.nz) or post free to any MP, c/- Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Read More (2052 bytes) |    | Score: 1.5

Press Releases : Election a ''crushing defeat for prohibitionists and the moral right'' Posted by norml on Tuesday, September 20 2005 (3782 reads) The election result has put cannabis law reform back on the agenda, says Chris Fowlie, President of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "A hugely expensive campaign to knock the Greens out of Parliament, run by the Exclusive Brethren, was a flop. The so-called "Moral Right" made stopping cannabis law reform a big issue, and they failed dismally," he said. Read More (1549 bytes) |    | Press Releases | Score: 3

Press Releases : NZ First Wants To Make New Zealand Last Posted by norml on Thursday, September 15 2005 (3451 reads) UK report confirms teen use dropped 15% following cannabis reclassification AUCKLAND: The cannabis law reform group, NORML, says the New Zealand First Party is rushing to make New Zealand last in the world to change its laws on cannabis. "Its unfortunate that New Zealand First has joined the UFO Party in demanding that NZ keep a policy that many senior Labour and National MPs - including Helen Clark and Don Brash - have agreed is not working," said NORML president Chris Fowlie. Read More (3378 bytes) |    | Press Releases | Score: 2

NORML News : Climbing the Marijuana Mountain - NORML talks with David Lange Posted by norml on Tuesday, August 23 2005 (4016 reads) Former Prime Minister David Lange revealed his support for marijuana legalisation in a 1993 interview with NORML News editor Nandor Tanczos. "Climbing the Marijuana Mountain - NORML talks with David Lange", was published in the Summer 1993 edition of NORML News magazine. Here, we present many of his best quotes from that issue. Read More (4140 bytes) |    | NORML News | Score: 4.66

Research : Peter Dunne talks nonsense & wonders why Nandor doesn't bother replying Posted by norml on Monday, August 01 2005 (4530 reads) In a desperate attempt to get publicity, United Future leader Peter Dunne has recently been calling on Nandor to answer some "questions" he has about cannabis. Tired of this lack of gumption to research these things for himself, we have compiled the answers for him here. Read More (15568 bytes) |    | Research | Score: 5

Elections : Greens raise cannabis as election issue Posted by drstuey on Tuesday, July 19 2005 (2994 reads) The Green Party today fired a pre-election shot by releasing a new private members bill that proposes $100 instant fines for people caught with up to 28g of cannabis or growing up to 5 plants. If people are caught using or growing cannabis within 100m of a school or other place that young people go to, the fine increases to $500. People aged under 18 will get a $100 fine and a referral to a drug education counsellor. NORML welcomed the bill, saying any form of cannabis law reform would be an improvement over the current system, and because it addresses some of the negative side-effects of instant fines, as experienced in the Australian states, by removing the special search powers police have for cannabis, and setting the fines at a lower level that Australian states. Nandor's Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Infringement) Amendment Bill is an attempt to appeal to more people - and MPs - who can see there is a problem now, but have been unwilling to support legalisation. The bill has little chance of being drawn from the (random) ballot before the election, but the Greens say they will be taking it into post-election negotiations with Labour. Read more for reaction around the web. Discuss the new Green position in the NORML forum (registration required). Have the Greens watered down their policy too much, or is this a brilliant pre-election attack on the prohibitionist camp? Have your say! Read More (9470 bytes) |    | Elections | Score: 4

Elections : United Future's drugs policy costly, ineffective Posted by drstuey on Thursday, June 09 2005 (3457 reads) Gearing up for the election, United Future have released a new drugs policy. And it makes scary reading, it suggests: harsher penalties for dealing, for dealing to "young people", for driving under the influlence, and for receiving income from the proceeds of drugs. drug testing of all offenders and all workplaces to be encouraged, with mandatory drug testing of all prisoners, people on parole, car accident drivers and suicides mandatory treatment for all drugs offenders, including those not convicted, also for all people that fail a drugs test confiscation of money and property for "suspected" drug dealers with the onus of proof shifted onto the suspect, and make drug dealers an accomplice to any crime committed by their 'customers'. There has been lots of reaction around the web, most notably Russell Brown's Hard News, see read more for more! It is clear that another Labour-Progressive-United government will be a disaster for law reform. Only a Labour-Green government will deliver change. Make sure you are registered to vote, and when the time comes, make sure you get out and vote. Read More (6372 bytes) |    | Elections | Score: 5

Status quo likely on cannabis? Posted by drstuey on Friday, April 22 2005 (3452 reads) MrZippy writes: "An interesting article in today's NZ Herald which speculates on the likely outcome of the election for cannabis law reform. Click read more for the full text. The situtation post-election is clear, if Labour form a coalition with United Future, then there will be no reform of drug laws, but if there are lots of Green MPs then change is likely." Read More (7089 bytes) |    | Score: 4

Addicted to foolish legislation on drugs Posted by norml on Wednesday, March 23 2005 (2819 reads) The Independent (UK), 23 Mar 2005 The "war on drugs" finally flickered into the election campaign last weekend. You might expect it to be one of the biggest issues, since - along with the United States - our government is the most hawkish drug warrior in the world. Using the institutions of the United Nations as their proxy, they are trying violently to suppress a $ 500bn-a-year industry that makes up 8 per cent of all global trade. Whole countries - from Afghanistan to Colombia - are being destabilised as they try to "eradicate" drug supply. But it's all worth it, according to our politicians. Back on the home front, it's VD Day, they declare - Victory over Drugs. But in the real world, drug use has never been higher. Untreated drug users commit half of all burglaries, while billions are squandered to prevent drugs crossing our borders. Read More (8168 bytes) |    | Score: 5

Elections : Health board candidates front up Posted by norml on Sunday, December 05 2004 (3866 reads) Anonymous writes: "From article by Caitlin McKay in 28 September 2004 edition of Oamaru Mail It was the usual rhetoric with a striking difference - a cannabis plant. Up to 30 people turned out to a 'meet the Otago district health board candidates' last night at the Blind Foundation Hall in Oamaru last night. For a bit of light relief, board candidate and pro-cannabis campaigner, Paul McMullan, said if elected he would use his position to promote the legalisation of cannabis. To show he meant pro-dope business he plucked a weary plant from his backpack pocket. But returning to the topic at hand, he pertinently promoted more preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating well, ensuring people were more responsible for their own health - thus reducing stress on local hospital services. "I have only been in hospital once to get my tonsils out and haven't been to the doctor for 10 years. But no man is an island and I have a family." The only Waitaki candidate, Helen Algar... " Read More |    | Elections | Score: 5

Greens launch new integrated drugs policy Posted by drstuey on Wednesday, September 29 2004 (2924 reads) The Green Party has launched a new version of its drugs policy - Towards a Harm Reduction Model for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs. This calls for all drugs to be treated under the same regulations. As part of the launch the Greens have developed an example of how their proposed framework could work - see the press release Care, consistency, control: Greens launch drug policy. 29/09/04 Greens Want One Law For All Drugs From Alcohol To Speed 29/09/04 No Illegal Drugs in Greens Policy 29/09/04 Green Plan for Drug Laws Read More |    | Score: 0

Elections : ALCP second in Te Tai Hauauru By-Election Posted by drstuey on Monday, July 19 2004 (3858 reads) ALCP candidate Dun MIHAKA came second to new Maori Party MP Tariana TURIA. Dun beat 4 other candidates, all independents, in the first by-election for 6 years. See the full results, including special votes, on the elections website. |    | Elections | Score: 5

NORML News : Eye on parliament Posted by norml on Thursday, July 01 2004 (3654 reads) Elderly pot users condemned by Police Minister; Norml News tabled by Minister of Justice NORML got some runs in parliament recently with Nandor Tanzcos leading the charge. Despite heavy interjecting from prohibitionist MPs, Mr Tanczos danced rings around Minister of Police George Hawkins at question time recently, attacking him on the issue of elderly cannabis users being targeted by police. BY JONATHAN RENNIE, NORML News Winter 2004. Read More (3346 bytes) |    | NORML News | Score: 5

Elections : Cannabis Part of Byelection Campaign Posted by norml on Thursday, July 01 2004 (3619 reads) The by-election in Te Tai Hauauru, caused when Tariana Turia resigned from Parliament to start a new Maori party, brought cannabis policy into the headlines, and cannabis is very much an issue in the campaign, writes PHIL SAXBY in NORML News Winter 2004. 0800 elections elections.govt.nz TE TAI HAUAURU enrol to vote! Read More (5228 bytes) |    | Elections | Score: 4.5

NORML News : From the Snake Pit Posted by norml on Thursday, July 01 2004 (3214 reads) DreaD in the House It's been a good few months for the movement. A number of well informed and highly credible international experts have toured Aotearoa, debunking myths and bringing some rationality to the scene writes Nandor Tanczos in NORML News Winter 2004. Read More (4355 bytes) |    | NORML News | Score: 5

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