The Government’s medicinal cannabis Bill is a huge step in the right direction – and a first for any New Zealand government – but we think a patient-focused approach should go much further.
Good news! The Labour-led Government will introduce legislation to “legalise medicinal cannabis”, this side of Christmas. Bad news! Based on early hints about the content of the reform, patients are fearful about whether the changes will go far enough and whether they will have to continue to resort to criminal activity.
The Labour Government says it will introduce legislation within 100 days to legalise medicinal cannabis, but what does that actually mean, and would Helen Kelly approve?
The test of any proposed new law should be, “What would Helen Kelly want?”
Hint: it’s not expensive pharmaceutical derivatives.
Happy birthday, stupid drug laws! Demonstrate your support for cannabis law reform, on the ninetieth anniversary of cannabis prohibition, at…
After years of denial and obfuscation by the National-led Government, this is a massive opportunity. The world is watching.
Cannabis is well and truly an election issue. For the first time ever, most parties now have written policies or have taken a stance supporting reform of some description. There is a lot to consider so to help we have assessed the cannabis policies or public statements of party leaders against NORML’s three core policies:
NORML and Auckland Patients Group are holding their 5th Medical Cannabis Rally this Saturday 2nd September, and this time – since it’s the election – we are marching down Queen Street too.
The hypocrisy, vindictiveness and viciousness of the far right was stunning if not surprising. They think they own the poor, that those on a benefit must account to them, and they cannot tolerate the poor retaining any dignity. And that is why they pounced so hard on Metiria.
Rather than basing our approach on synthetic pharmaceuticals, if we took a herbal remedy or food-grade approach, then local and affordable cannabis-based products could be available here within months. They could be made from hemp, they would be cheap, local workers would be employed making them, and everyone could get their daily dose of phyto-cannabinoids.
RALLY DETAILS:
Saturday 5th August, from High Noon to 2pm
Queen Street, Auckland – opposite Aotea Square