Medical cannabis rally and march – Aotea Sq., Sat 23rd April

Medical cannabis is so hot right now.

It’s in the news almost every day, with heartbreaking stories of patients finding relief illegally then being denied safe legal access. Two recent polls put support for medical cannabis at over 70%. Even Peter Dunne said “I would’ve voted ‘yes’” Not to be outdone, the Government of Victoria, Australia, announced it had legalised medical cannabis. Full passage of the law took only a month and they even had time to commission a nice logo. The Governor of Pennsylvania boasted that his law to legalise medical cannabis had passed, making it the 24th state to approve medical cannabis.

Meanwhile in New Zealand patients continue to suffer. The existing criteria are too restrictive, the process is too slow and Sativex – the one pharmaceutical extract that is approved here – is far too expensive. The result is that most doctors are put off applying and, even if they can get Sativex prescribed, most people cannot afford to pay for it.

We need safe legal access to affordable high quality medical cannabis. The process needs to be made easier. Doctors need to be reassured they won’t be persecuted for recommending it. Patients need more options: pharmaceutical derivatives like Sativex as well as natural herbal remedies made from cannabis, and the ability to grow our own.

The Medical Cannabis march on Saturday 23rd April (Aotea Square, 1pm) aims to raise awareness and demonstrate public support for safe legal access to medical cannabis. Treating yourself should not be a crime.

The march is also a big thank-you to Helen Kelly for the work she has done to raise awareness of this issue. Helen’s application to use a medical cannabis product approved in the USA was declined by Ass. Health minister Peter Dunne. Our heartless politicians should put compassion first.

Polling shows most New Zealanders want safe legal access to medical cannabis, including a recent UMR poll showing 72% support (and only 13% opposed). While cannabis activists and medical patients are not being arrested for speaking out, most people still keep quiet out of a fear of being busted or somehow losing their job or social standing. As we all know, evil flourishes when good people do nothing. Add your voice to those supporting safe legal access to a medicine that can help sick and terminally ill people. It’s time to stand up and show your support!

Meet in Aotea Square around High Noon. We’ll do some rallying around 1pm, then set off down Queen Street. It is our democratic right to peacefully assemble and protest an unjust law.

This is a Smoke Free event, bring the family. You can help by spreading the word, inviting your friends, making a donation to help cover our costs, volunteer to be a crowd marshal, bring a sign, banner or wear a pro-reform t shirt. Also it helps to know your rights, just in case – https://norml.org.nz/rights/

See you there!

Medical Cannabis march
Aotea Square, 1pm, Saturday 23rd April 2016
Facebook page – 
Supported by NORML, GreenCross, It’s Medicine, Medical Cannabis Awareness NZ, Unite, Socialist Aotearoa