The only cannabis poll that counts is the Referendum itself
It’s easy to get caught up in a roller coaster of elation and despair, writes NORML president Chris Fowlie, but we need to focus on the only poll that counts: the Referendum itself.
Chris Fowlie
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Science will save cannabis referendum from Reefer Madness
One of the most powerful effects of cannabis is to addle the minds of those who don’t use it. As we approach our once-in-a-generation chance to finally end cannabis prohibition with the referendum next year, we are in the midst of a Reefer Madness campaign of fearmongering.
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A smart approach to the cannabis referendum, and medicinal cannabis
We need a well-funded public education campaign ahead of the cannabis referendum, and a model based on social equity, social retail enterprises and social clubs.
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Polls show how to win the cannabis referendum: social equity, social enterprise and social clubs
TVNZ’s Colmar Brunton poll had support for making cannabis legal at 39%, versus 52% for the status quo. It’s a drop from two years ago. A Newshub/Reid Research poll was also concerning, with 42% saying they would vote Yes, but 48% would vote No.
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Join the cannabis resistance at J Day this Saturday – May the Fourth be with you!
J Day is an annual celebration, festival and protest in support of cannabis law reform, held every year since 1992. This year J Day is on Star Wars Day – May the Fourth!
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How Patients Could Access Medicinal Cannabis by Christmas
Here’s my ten picks for how to ensure patients can access medicinal cannabis as soon as possible. These can all be done within the regulations set to be developed this year. There are other measures which could increase the pace of patient access, such as allowing patients to provide for themselves (ie home growing, which I advocated for) and allowing patients with prescriptions to import cannabis medicines for their own use, however these would require changes to legislation and are outside the scope of what I’m proposing here.
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Police send message with ongoing cannabis hunt
Next year New Zealand will vote to make cannabis legal. For a proper debate to be held it is important that those who most affected are not considered criminals and hunted with the full force of the state. Police should immediately call off their aerial snooping and spraying programme.
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Cannabis predictions and crystal ball gazing
Last year was an absolute humdinger for cannabis, with legislative changes for hemp foods and medicinal cannabis, confirmation the cannabis referendum will be binding and held at the next election, and so much activity it was hard to keep up. It seems the stars are aligned and, although we must not become complacent, this is finally the moment when cannabis law reform can actually happen in New Zealand. Here are my predictions for what will play out this year.
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Medicinal Cannabis Bill set to pass Parliament; patients celebrate ambivalently
“A lot of us also have mixed feelings at the moment. New Zealand is catching up with the rest of the world, but this new law has only delivered part of what we hoped for,”
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Cannabis Referendum Conference lays foundation for Yes campaign
Organised by the Cannabis Referendum Coalition (CRC), a campaign group made up of aligned reformist organisations and individuals, the #MakeItLegalconference brought together over 120 people from all walks of life in the rather salubrious surrounds of the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.