 | NORML News: Green’s Cannabis Coordinator |
 NORML News Autumn 2003
The Green parliamentary team has appointed a cannabis issues outreach coordinator to network with organisations and individuals involved in areas affected by cannabis laws, in particular in education and health, as well as Maori.
Former Norml activist and mother of two, Sandra Murray, has the job. She first became involved in cannabis law reform while at Auckland University in 1989 and was later South Island coordinator.
Sandra told Norml News that it was here that she met many of the people who are still involved in cannabis law reform today. She has never been a smoker. It was more a matter of justice and civil rights.
Cannabis law reform was widely debated at the Green Party’s summer conference and as a result the Cannabis and Drug Law Reform policy has been reworded so it is more concise and easily read. The Greens are also producing an informative pamphlet for distribution.
“One immediate focus within my networking role is to consolidate support for medical marijuana,” said Sandra.. “I am keen to hear from teachers, health professionals, and Maori who are interested in cannabis issues; and I hope to encourage public debate as well as discussion within sector groups.
“I urge people to take this issue to the politicians,” says Sandra. “Green MP’s want law reform. Many other MP’s also want law reform but are unable to speak out because of their party line. By writing to and visiting MP’s you will encourage them to come out of the closet, and you help create an environment in which political parties have to address the issue. Law change has not yet happened because consecutive governments have been able to ignore the issue. When there is enough pressure they will not be able to ignore it, and the law will change.”
 The Greens’ Cannabis and Drug Law Reform Policy can be viewed on their website: www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/policy4749.html
Sandra Murray can be contacted at:
Ph 021 890 629 Email: dwyn@kiwilink.co.nz PO Box 1553, Shortland St, Auckland
For cannabis policy leaflets, write to Nandor Tanczos, Freepost c/o Parliament Bldgs, Wellington, or call collect 04 470 6712, email raewyn.ng@parliament.govt.nz
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