I’m off to the NORML conference in Wellington this weekend to hear the latest thoughts on cannabis reform as we enter the 2014 election. It should be an exciting conference now with Laila Harre’s voiced support for cannabis decriminalisation and legalisation of medicinal cannabis and on that front NORML have some thoughts to think.
NORML have never endorsed a political party for the elections in the past. The idea is to preserve some type of broad dialogue with the political establishment. I’m sure that NORML will have noticed broad dialogue doesn’t seem to be going anywhere with vast chunks of that political establishment more prepared to call the cops and nark on their grow room than enter into any kind of debate.
I’d go as far as to suggest that we have gone no where in 20 years on cannabis reform because of the low result tactics of broad dialogue.
NORML need to consider the following.
-If National retain power, there will be no change for another 3 years.
-If Labour + Greens + NZ First are the majority, there will be no change for another 3 years
-If Labour + Greens + Internet MANA are the majority, decriminalisation and medicinal cannabis is on the political agenda.
With so little to show for broad dialogue, is it time for NORML to endorse a party and send cannabis reform smoke signals to the politically active cannabis vote this election?
I’m pretty sure NORML would endorse the ALCP first and foremost.
only if they don’t understand how MMP works or they’re not bothered if NACT get another term.
Well said Weka. The ALCP are one of the most effective organisations – if the goal is to keep weed illegal.
One toke over the line for NORML? That is a helluva long lobbying period for minimal result. Have met a few NORML members and they are genuine types but do get pegged as one issue people with the attendant drawbacks of stereotyping similar to Voluntary Euthanasia advocates.
IMP has been pinging on facebook all week on this so cannabis reformers should maybe hitch a wagon in some form.
Comments are closed.