NORML Conference and Annual General Meeting Report 2001Trades Hall, Wellington, 15 September 2001
Minutes taken by Harry Cording
Please send any any omissions or errors to norml@xtra.co.nz
Present: Chris Fowlie, Nandor Tanczos, Victoria Northfield, Alannagh Donegan, Russell Cronin, Harry Cording, Mike Harding, Dave Moore, Leo McIntyre, Ben Knight, Sarah Porter, Mike Ross, Joseph Rael,
Anthony Cox, Deborah Morris, Ben Wrighton, Tahu Wilson, Chris Travis, Bill McKee, Jeanette Saxby, Stephen McIntyre, Duncan Eddy.
Apologies: Adrian Picot, Les Gray, Marian Barnes, Mike Finlayson, Danuiel Clark, Daniel Muller, Paul Gourlie, Paul Briggs, Mikey Irwin, Worik Stanton, Warren Bryson.
Conference opened with blessing from Nandor.
President's Report
Chris Fowlie summarised the events of 2000 and 2001 to date, and gave a brief history of anti-cannabis legislation and the founding of NORML. He noted that over 150,000 New Zealanders now have
criminal records for cannabis-related activities.
Chris then reviewed NORML's achievements of the past year, particularly the select committee inquiry into cannabis. Many NORML members have made submissions and appeared in person at the hearings.
New branches have been formed in Hamilton and New Plymouth and action groups have been created in other towns, notably Palmerston North and Invercargill, although they have not yet formally become
branches. More people are now joining NORML and seeking to get involved in campaigns and activities.
The NORML News is "going from strength to strength" and has attracted new members and donations. Noteworthy among the donations was $10,000 given by an anonymous benefactor.
The Coalition for Cannabis Law Reform has brought together many groups and individuals supporting law reform. Anyone who signs its accord can become part of the coalition.
Regarding the select committee inquiry, Chris noted that most submissions support law reform. He said NORML has heard from many teachers who were pressured into signing the School Trustees Association
petition against legalisation because they feared for their jobs.
Chris gave a summary of his arrest in a central Auckland police blitz and his three court appearances to date. He has refused to accept diversion and a trial date has been set for February 8. A full
day has been set aside for the case at a cost to the taxpayer of approximately $1100 an hour. His arrest came shortly after a select committee hearing where police stated they do not target pot
smokers.
At the time of his arrest, the Dominion wrongly reported that he had been remanded in custody. Eventually the paper admitted its error and Chris has received an apology and cash payment, which will
enable him to undertake a "fact finding tour of European drug policy."
Chris proposed a motion calling upon the Government to declare a moratorium on cannabis arrests so that the inquiry can proceed and hear from people without fear of arrest or prosecution. The motion
was supported unanimously.
For the future, Chris stressed the importance of building branches, getting more people involved, building future leadership, and especially fund raising. He suggested a summer campaign, possibly
including a roadshow and a summer J-Day, and a campaign to get people on the electoral roll.
Presentation from Nandor
Nandor spoke about the strength of NORML as a grass-roots organisation and the work it has done educating people about their civil rights, the Police Complaints Authority, the Ombudsman, and the
legislative process. He talked about his own youthful experiences of being harassed by police, and how he discovered NORML and learned about civil rights through it. He took the opportunity to pay
tribute to Mike Finlayson for keeping NORML going for many years.
Nandor said one of NORML's key roles is to reach out to supporters, get them involved, and provide information, adding that NORML's information has integrity and accuracy, and is able to be checked.
Nandor also paid tribute to all the Roaring Lions who refuse to co-operate with police when arrested and "refuse to go along with their own persecution." He said the Roaring Lion actions are
consistent with the beliefs of Gandhi, whose philosophy was not to avoid punishment, but to point out the injustice of the law.
Regarding the select committee hearings, Nandor noted that Frederick Fastier, who had helped to establish the Misuse of Drugs Act, told the committee cannabis should be legalised. Even the Salvation
Army is now saying cannabis law reform is inevitable. Nandor acknowledged the quality of submissions from cannabis supporters, and said there is a growing realisation of common concerns between the
cannabis movement and those who have been supporters of prohibition.
"Law reform is on the horizon," he said - difficult but possible before the next election.
Presentation from Deborah Morris, Coalition for Cannabis Law Reform
As a former New Zealand First MP, Deborah said taking a stand for cannabis law reform was "like feeling the full force of a southerly gale." She said there is a crisis of confidence in democratic
governments, and MPs are too concerned with their own political futures. "The politics of law reform are just too hard," and it is easier for them to maintain the status quo.
Deborah thanked NORML activists for their efforts and commented on the hypocrisy of the general acceptance of alcohol while cannabis remains illegal. She called for law reform supported by a
significant increase in drug education resources, and concluded "We are on the right side of history."
Chris Fowlie presented a report from the Auckland branch, reviewing events of the past year including a successful and enjoyable J-Day.
Ben Knight presented a report from the Wellington branch, which now has a new office in the Trades Hall together with the Coalition for Cannabis Law Reform and Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. The
branch has been building links with MPs and taking opportunities to lobby for law reform.
Bill McKee from Levin has helped form Eco Nation Horowhenua, an umbrella group of green organisations which has a team of candidates in local body elections.
Break for lunch - special thanks to Anthony Cox for providing delicious food and plenty of it!
Duncan Eddy presented a report from Dunedin, which hosted a J-Day this year. The Dunedin branch has affiliated with the Otago University Students Association and successfully lobbied the association
to sign the Cannabis Law Reform accord. The branch has developed a good relationship with student media - the student radio station advertised J-Day for free. Duncan also promotes a letter-writing
campaign to local newspapers.
Duncan said attitudes have changed in Dunedin and NORML has a higher profile, but still needs more active members. He has developed a novel method of dealing with police - if he sees them on he
street, he asks them if they have any cannabis.
Jeanette Saxby and Stephen McIntyre presented a report from Christchurch. They had a great J-Day, run in conjunction with the local ALCP branch. Jeanette and Stephen have developed a course on drug
testing in the workplace which is designed to keep workplaces drug-free and at the same time prevent discrimination against pot smokers. There is a possibilty of funding to enable them to train
facilitators.
The Christchurch NORML branch could join the Interactive co-op which is running IndyMedia NZ. Office space is available there for $40 a week. Jeanette pledged $20 a week toward the rent for the
office.
The treasurer's report was presented by Chris Fowlie on behalf of Adrian Picot. Acceptance of the report was moved by Ben Knight, seconded by Dave Moore.
Election of Officers and Board:
President: Chris Fowlie
Treasurer: Adrian Picot
Secretary: Metiria Turei has resigned. Victoria Northfield and Alannagh Donegan agreed to act as joint secretaries (pun intended).
Medical marijuana campaigner: Russell Cronin
Communications manager: Ben Knight
South Island representatives: Jeanette Saxby, Duncan Eddy
All nominees approved unanimously.
The need for media skills has been recognised and Ben Knight is to develop a plan for improving media skills for members.
A vote of appreciation for the NZ Hemp Association and the government for this year's trial hemp crops was passed by acclaim.
The group then participated in activist workshops hosted by Meliors Simms, and then broke for dinner. Sunday was spent in the Labour offices at Bowen House (!!!) where Meliors hosted a workshop on
sustainable activism.
Thanks to all those who attended.
Unless stated otherwise, copyright © 1998-2005 by NORML New Zealand, working for marijuana law reform Published on: 2003-02-25 (2581 reads) [ Go Back ] | 
