norml news spring 2008

52
Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 1 www.NORML.org.nz N O RML News SPRING 2008 NZ$5.00 Nandor Tanczos talks ganja, politics & life outside parliament. POT POLICY guide inside MEDI-WEED in Parliament DUNSTERDAM fights back CANNABIS CUPS Auckland & Otago CANNABIS CANADA Welcome to Vansterdam! ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM The Canna-Bus National Tour WIN A VAPORISER! NEW ZEALAND MARIJUANA CULTURE . HEMP . MEDICINE . ACTIVISM . LAW REFORM RE-ROLLED & RE-LAUNCHED!

Upload: norml-new-zealand-inc

Post on 22-Mar-2016

221 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

DESCRIPTION

Norml News Spring 2008

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 1www.NORML.org.nz

NORML NewsSPRING 2008 NZ$5.00

Nandor Tanczos talks ganja, politics

& life outside parliament.

POT POLICY guide inside

MEDI-WEEDin Parliament

DUNSTERDAMfights back

CANNABIS CUPSAuckland & Otago

CANNABIS CANADAWelcome to Vansterdam!

ON ThE ROAD TO FREEDOMThe Canna-Bus National Tour

WIN A VAPORISER!

NEW ZEALAND MARIJUANA CULTURE . hEMP . MEDICINE . ACTIVISM . LAW REFORM

RE-ROLLED

& RE-LAUNChED!

Page 2: Norml News Spring 2008

2 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

29 Victoria Street East, Auckland.www.hempstore.co.nz . 0800 HEMPSTORE . 09 302-5255

OPEN 7 DAYS

HIGH GRADE HEMP SPECIALISTS

Got Vap?We are New Zealand’s vaporiser specialists, with three models from Vaporite and more coming soon. All Vaporites come with a free grinder,

hands-free attachment, digital temperature control, high-quality ceramic element, and a ONE YEAR GUARANTEE! SEPTEMBER SPECIAL: Solo only $179! Hyper & Twins only $270!

Drug Testing solutionsWe are the experts on drug testing solutions, with trusted solutions for GCMS, EMIT and screens. Our top seller is Quick Fix - synthetic urine, undetectable, with a 100% pass rate in NZ! MAIL ORDER SPECIAL: $65 delivered anywhere in NZ! (offer ends 1/10/08)

solo hyper twins

DreamThe strongest ‘incense’ on the market? Well, we

were impressed, and that’s saying something! In store now. $20

Page 3: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 3www.NORML.org.nz

NEWSEditorial: which party has the best drug policy? 4Why vote ‘legalise’ by Julian Crawford 5Dunsterdam fights back! by Abe Gray 6Drug laws beyond 2008 by Brandon Hutchison 8J Day nationwide protests. By Jonathan Rennie 10World News with Harry Cording 18

FEATURES NORML’s CannaBus National Tour by Harry Cording 22Nandor Tanczos talks to Chris Fowlie 26Amsterdam Chronic-cles Pt.3 by Pauly Paul 32Cannabis Canada by Dana Larsen 36Auckland Cannabis Cup by Chris Fowlie 40

MEDICINALNORML goes to parliament by Chris Fowlie 14Medicinal Cannabis research by Chris Fowlie 15

REGULARSBush Doc new product reviews 44Safer cannabis use - NORML’s harm reduction advice 46Know your rights and lawyers list 47How you can help change the law 48NORML membership form Join our campaign! 49Show your grow pics from this year’s bumper crop 50

NORML NeWS

IT’S NORML TO SMOKE POT!The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc) is a non-profit organisation that campaigns to end marijuana prohibition. We support the right of all adults to possess, use and grow their own marijuana. We recognise that a market for marijuana will always exist, and we promote ways to best regulate and control that market. Our aims are to: reform New Zealand’s marijuana laws; provide information about cannabis; engage in political action appropriate to our aims; inform people of their rights; and give advice and support to victims of prohibition. You can join on page 45.

ISSN: 1172-9074

40,000 COPIES PRINTED AUGUST 2008

PUBLISHED BY NORML NZ INC.

PO Box 3307, Auckland, NZ.Phone: 09 302-5255Fax: 09 303-1309

Email: [email protected]: www.norml.org.nz

Editor & design: Chris Fowlie

Contributors: Harry Cording, Jonathan Rennie, Chris Fowlie, Pauly Paul, Dana Larsen, Nandor Tanczos, Brandon Hutchison, Abe Gray, Julian Crawford, StJohn, the Bush Doc and assorted rogues, rascals and recidivist recruits.

Want to contribute? Send us your ideas, letters, photos, cartoons, comments, grow tips, recipes or tasty buds for us to sample... include a SAE if you would like your contribution returned.

Thanks to our advertisers, contributors, distributors, IACM and drugpolicycentral.org for hosting our website.

Advertising: 09 302 5255 | [email protected]

Printer: APN

Distribution: IMD ph 09 527 0500

Mailed free to NORML members (join on p49) and available while stocks last at selected outlets including:

WHANGAREI Pied Piper, Switched On Gardener SILVERDALE The Grow & Brew Shop DARGAVILLE B_Arch Wear AUCKLAND Cosmic Corner, Easy Grow, Erox, The Hempstore, Now & Then, Pipe Dreams, Real Groovy, Switched On Gardener HAMILTON Frankton Pipe Shop, Greens Office, Needle Exchange, Rota, Switched On Gardener OTOROHANGA Neveraes THAMES Boot’s N All, Crystal Ball Clinic, This Time Around TAURANGA Curiosity, NZPC, Switched On Gardener MT MAUNGANUI Antipodes, Nemms TE PUKE Wild Thingz ROTORUA Skingraft, Wild Thingz GISBORNE Cultural Experience NAPIER Earthsong HASTINGS Switched On Gardener TAUPO Switched On Gardener TE AWAMUTU Groovee Thingz NEW PLYMOUTH Guru Gardener, Mindfuel, Net, Stardust Creations, Trick or Treat WANGANUI Discount Smoke Shop, Drugs & Health Development Project, Stardust Creations PALMERSTON NORTH IV Union, Lotz of Pots WELLINGTON Comrades, Cosmic Corner, Real Groovy, San Jewellery, Switched On Gardener LOWER HUTT Devine, House of Hydro, Lo Cost Records, Stardust Creations PORIRUA Stardust Creations NELSON Gizmo’s, Switched On Gardener MOTUEKA Kowhai, Flurmo TAKAKA Invisible BLENHEIM Boots ‘n’ All RANGIORA Rock Shop CHRISTCHURCH Alice in Videoland, Avon Backpackers, Central Surf, Cosmic Corner, Embassy, Globe Cafe, Java Coffee House, Radar Records GREYMOUTH Planet Funk QUEENSTOWN Play It Again WANAKA Play It Again TIMARU Dizzy Spell DUNEDIN Community Law Centre, Cosmic Corner, DIVO, Funk That!, Hemphatic, Modaks, Tangente, Radio One, Switched On Gardener INVERCARGILL Large As Life, Play It Again.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in NORML News may or may not be the opinion of Norml News, NORML New Zealand Inc, our advertisers or printers. NORML News is provided with no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The publisher assumes no responsibility for and disclaims all liability for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Content within NORML NEWS is distributed for “fair use” research, review, education and information purposes. NORML News and the publisher are not responsible for the content of advertising contained within. Publication of an advertisement does not imply our endorsement of any particular product or claims made by any advertiser.

thanks to:

CONTENTS

Vol 12, Issue 3: Spring 2008

on the cover:Te Kakariki 4-time Auckland Cannabis Cup winnerPHOTO BY CHRIS

22

4026

10

Page 4: Norml News Spring 2008

4 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz4 NORML NeWS Spring 20084 NORML NeWS Winter/Spring 20084 NORML NeWS Winter/Spring 2008

editorial

A FRESH START

Toke the Vote!When more than 80 per

cent of 21-year-olds will admit to breaking the law (and grow shops advertise on tv), it truly has become “norml” to smoke pot. Cannabis

prohibition remains because we stay silent. this table shows the cannabis policies of the main political parties. We wouldn’t dare say how you should vote, just make sure you vote on election day!

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party legalise cannabis, with regulations similar to alcohol.

Voting for ALCP sends a clear message to other parties and MPs that there is public support for cannabis law reform.

See page 7 for latest news from the ALCP

The Green Party decriminalise cannabis,

allowing adults to grow and possess their own without penalty.

The Greens are the only party in parliament to consistently advocate law reform. They are our strongest allies but they need more MPs to change the law.

See page 24 for Nandor’s interview

Libertarianzwould legalise all drugs.

Great policy that sends a message to other parties, but unlikely to make 5% threshold.

Act The Liberal Party has no drugs policy.

Leader Rodney Hide supports legalisation; unfortunately others are “tough on crime” types.

Labourinitiated cannabis inquiry

- then buried it. Allowed hemp production. Is talking about Sativex.

Helen Clark and a lot of other Labour MPs are sympathetic to law reform, but it seems unlikely they will do anything unless they are forced to (eg by the Greens).

T h e M a o r i Party does not have a cannabis policy.

Maori candidates and MPs need to be challenged as to whether they support the current racist and unjust law.

NZ Firstsays it is “tough on drugs”.

On the other hand, Winston has promised to hold a referendum on the issue, and uphold the result.

Nationalopposes law reform, but may

let its MPs exercise a free vote.

Most National MPs oppose law reform so they can be seen to be tough on crime. National have not made any promising noises so far.

United Futureopposes law reform, despite Peter Dunne admitting having used cannabis.

They’ll try to take credit for “stopping cannabis liberalisation” but the reality is their policies have failed and ideas are stale.

Welcome to the new and improved

normL news. after more than ten years of giving it away for free, we’ve finally put a price on the cover. I hope you agree it is worth it.

If you got your copy from a shop that is part of the culture, it will still be free - or, if they collected any payment, half the proceeds will go to normL. We’re also getting the magazine out in book shops and stationery stores. this much-needed revenue will let us add more pages, use better paper, and one day we may even get to pay our team of volunteers who make it all happen!

many readers will be aware the Dread has left the house - you can read my interview with former Green mP and normL news editor nandor tanczos on page 26. You may not be aware that at this year’s conference, normL members will elect a president - and it won’t be me. It’s time for a new person at the helm. But like Nandor, I’m not going away completely. I’ll remain editor and will be able to concentrate on making this magazine even better, as well as pursue some other projects. Plus the hempstore will still take care of the admin and membership side of things.

So who should be president? I think Will de Cleene has the skills for the job. he is based in Wellington and knows the political system. there may be others who are keen and able. But whoever steps up, they can’t do it alone. now more than ever, normL needs your support. We especially need active members and better funding.

So if, like me, you think cannabis should be legal, you’ll find plenty of ideas and inspiration in this new and improved version of normL news. And I hope you’ll get involved, because remember, when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!

Chris Fowlieeditor

4 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

MO

UN

TAIN

RH

INO

ENROL TO VOTE www.elections.org.nz 0800 36 76 56 free text 3676

Page 5: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 5www.NORML.org.nz

“never has the new Zealand cannabis community faced a greater threat to its liberty than now,” said Dunedin north candidate Julian Crawford in an interview with norml news. “our opponents have voiced support for compulsory ‘treatment’, separate drug courts and Dna sampling of all people arrested. the election of the aLCP is vital to preventing these tyrants access to power. Despite the challenges ahead, victory has never been more achievable. Consider this years election as a referendum on the cannabis laws. We need 5% of the party vote for victory whilst our opponents need 95% of the vote to prevent us. 5% may seem like a lot of votes but when broken down it equates to about 2000 votes per electorate - a fraction of total pot users.”How can people get involved?

“aLCP is awakening sleeper cells in all 70 electorates nation-wide. We need you to contribute to the cause in your area. there are many levels of involvement to choose from, ranging from texting all your mates on election day, to standing as an electorate candidate. If you are reading this and believe in you heart of hearts that cannabis should be legal, then you are qualified to stand for parliament for the aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. Don’t be shy contact the party today.”So who is running in the election?

“the aLCP have many high achieving candidates, already on the campaign trail, including michael appleby in Wellington Central, Steven Wilkinson in West-Coast/tasman, Vincent mcLeod in te tai tonga, myself in Dunedin north and michael Britnell in Christchurch Central. the aLCP team is growing all the time.”What would the ALCP do if elected?

“If elected to parliament the ALCP could hold the balance of power and find itself in the ‘King-Maker’ position. In this case we would ensure that our minimum policy

program is implemented, but we would not hold the government to ransom on other issues. Cannabis Law reform is our highest priority. our minimum policy program is as follows:

immediate tolerance of adults’ personal • possession and cultivation;expungement of all convictions for • cannabis;establishment of a regulated r18 trade in • cannabis (like alcohol and tobacco but without advertising);establishment of a large scale Industrial • hemp industry, with particular focus on Biofuel production (Cannabis is by far the world’s greatest biofuel producing crop); comprehensive integration of cannabis • medicines into the health system, ensuring that cannabis medicine is available at a subsidised rate to those who need it.”

Anything else?“While the personal right to grow and

use cannabis is paramount, the aLCP also favours the introduction of a business model, known as the ‘Cottage Industry’, to replace the criminal black-market. the Cottage Industry will include cafe-style outlets like those operating in the netherlands. Cannabis Cafe operators will require a licence like a bar licence and will pay tax to the government on all marijuana sales. this will provide funding for real, non-abstinance based drug education. Growers can also apply for a licence to supply retail outlets.”What can people do about it?

“Don’t let this ‘Pipe-Dream’ languish. make it a reality in your town this very year. all that is required for ignorance and bigotry to prevail is for good people to do nothing. You can do something, Vote for the aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and make sure all your mates follow suit.”

Sign up to the ALCP’s new web site: www.alcp.org.nz or contact: [email protected]

the aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party says it exists to emancipate cannabis users from the tyranny of criminal prohibition. this year, in

the words of one candidate, you can make a world of difference: “simply vote for the cannabis party on election day.”

ALCP: treat election as a referendum on cannabis laws

ELECTIONS

Toke the Vote!

Page 6: Norml News Spring 2008

6 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Dunsterdam fights back!Local activism

otago University students - at the cutting edge of cannabis

law reform in new Zealand - are putting themselves on the line to catapult cannabis law reform back into the national spotlight.

the vibe for immediate cannabis law reform around the city is buzzing, following a highly successful Cannabis awareness Week, the highlights of which were a mind-blowing Cannabis Cup and seeing associate health minister Jim anderton embarrassed by Criminal Law Professor Kevin Dawkins in front of a crowd of more than 300 (check out the footage on youtube).

Since then however, otago University administrators and Dunedin Police have begun a campaign of harassment and intimidation in an attempt to silence our group. It seems the powers that be are extremely rattled by how effective a small, “unorganised” group of University students has been at getting our message across.

It started with the Otago University security force, Campus Watch, referring students to the University’s Proctor for suspicion of smoking cannabis. they were fined with no right of reply or evidence presented. this resulted in stern words for the Proctor from the otago University Student’s association President

and more publicity for the issue, prompting a flood of complaints against Campus Watch from other students who had been too afraid to speak out.

But Campus Watch decided to take it a step further and asked the campus cop to detain, illegally search and arrest another student who they alleged to be smoking cannabis. otago is one of only two nZ Universities to invite Police to have a permanent p r e s e n c e o n campus. Police had sa id the Campus Cop was there to help students (i.e. to prevent theft and assaults), not to police them, and had a l so explicitly stated that the Campus Cop ‘would not be going after pot smoking students’, when they were lobbying for the p o s i t i o n t o b e established. oUSa organised a massive protest, which saw more than 400 students march from the Union Lawn to the offices of the Proctor, the Campus Cop and Campus Watch, demanding an end to the Police presence on campus. a particularly staunch group of otago normL activists hot-boxed the lobby of the Security Complex. this show of force by the wider Dunedin community on behalf of the

civil rights of cannabis users was highly embarrassing for the University administrators, so they ran crying to the Police demanding that taxpayer resources be used to clean up the mess that they themselves had made.

to placate the incessant whining of University

administrators, the Police seemed at first to follow the path of least resistance, remaining limited to false accusations and idle threats c o m m u n i c a t e d through the local m e d i a . I t w a s apparent that this had absolutely no effect on the resolve of the 4:20 protesters, and so after 4 years and

over 250 smoke-ups, the Police made their first ever appearance at a 4:20 protest.

acting on authority vested in them by the University to trespass any non-student that they didn’t l ike the appearance of, uniformed police arrived at exactly 4:20 and began

issuing trespass notices to the first people they could find without a student ID. When one of the men who was trespassed came back to join the group, three plainclothes officers who had dressed as University students emerged from the group and began to interrogate the man. The plainclothes officers were quickly surrounded by the protesters, who demanded to see their identification and recorded

their names and badge numbers. after verbally abusing the group - and some of the officers refusing to identify themselves - the plainclothes ‘narks’ threatened to return to every 4:20 protest, then ran away to avoid further inquiry into their identities.

So we went to considerable effort to protect ourselves, initiating “know your rights” workshops, and negotiating with a videographer to record each 4:20 and upload the footage to Youtube. We even bought some fake weed to throw the cops off - but they never came back.

after several weeks without a Police presence, we held a very popular stall during re-orientation week, reassuring s tudents the 4:20’s would continue. at the radio one Market day, plainclothes officers were sent to spy on our stall. more officers swooped in to arrest me, under what appeared to be false pretenses. as the Police manhandled me away from the market Day stall, my screams of pain prompted a large crowd to gather. Julian Crawford - the Dunedin north candidate for the aLCP - heroically tried to intervene, resulting in his arrest as well. more people tried to sit down in front of the police car to prevent us from being taken away. otago normL Vice-President David Carey was also arrested. the University then attempted to prevent us - all fee-paying

Otago NORML came under fire from undercover cops and the university administration. rather than backing down, activists fought back. By ABE GRAY

Page 7: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 7www.NORML.org.nz

Dunsterdam fights back!ganja culture

students - from communicating with our supporters by getting the police to issue us with trespass notices, barring us from parts of the University grounds. Posters appeared around the campus, warning students about the ‘narks’ in their classes. Under immense pressure from staff and students, the University was forced to back down and later asked the Police to rescind the trespass notices.

This saga is still ongoing. It only serves to prove what a waste of time and resources cannabis prohibition is. the Police tell people they are too busy to investigate assaults and burglaries - yet they have spent countless hours and obscene amounts of money to try to shut down the 4:20 protests. We continue unabated... and still to this day not a single person has actually been arrested at a 4:20 protest!

For more info or to read the news articles and watch the video clips,

visit www.otagonorml.com or www.youtube.com/otagonorml

The Southern CupA select group of judges gathered at a secret location (that really wasn’t very secret) to sniff, prod, mull, roll, spark and inhale some potent pot from the deep south. Congrats to the winner, Shiva Shanti. And good to see Paul’s backyard homegrown (below) had survived the snow!

CUP WINNER Shiva Shanti (indoor organic) also shown closeup. PHOTOS BY CHRIS

Page 8: Norml News Spring 2008

8 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

law reform

International drug treaties beyond 2008A historic meeting in Vienna calls for significant changes to drug policies. By BRANDON HuTCHISON

JULy ThIS yeAR saw the Beyond 2008 conference, held at the Un centre in Vienna,

attended by 300 diverse non-government organisations from around the world. the aim was to agree on a statement on the future of international drug policies to be presented to the Un General assembly on drugs in 2009.

after going through the declaration clause by clause over an intense 3-day period, the final wording was accepted by all present. although couched in terms of the “world drug problem” and accepting of prohibition, the statement was innovative in that it acknowledged: human rights abuses against people who used drugs; the right of people affected by drug use and by drug policies to be involved in formulation of policies; the principles of harm reduction; that there were unintended negative consequences of the drug control system, and that the results of that system had been “limited”. It called for more resources for demand reduction compared with supply reduction, for policies to be evidence and science based, and for the efficacy of policies to be reviewed.

none of th is would be remarkable to those familiar w i t h t h e i s s u e o f d r u g prohibition, but considering the place and people involved, the declaration is truly historic. a casual conversation with some delegates revealed that some were unaware of controversy in this area. Perhaps their attendance was for some social reason. Delegates did get to have drinks with the mayor of Vienna after all. For others, for example a small tight-knit group from the USa, the inclusion of the liberal statements was barely tolerable and accepted only after being watered down considerably.The context

the Un is important in driving drug prohibition through three international treaties, the first being the 1961 Single Convention on narcotic Drugs. this american driven initiative resulted in most countries in the world agreeing to enact prohibitionist laws modelled on that Convention. although many countries had had some kind of anti-drug law for decades, (new Zealand had the Dangerous Drugs act, inherited from the UK), this convention ensured that laws became

one-size-fits-all and the American driven anti-drug campaign took the form of the global moral crusade that continues unabated to this day.

a Un special assembly on drugs in 1998 set the aim of a “drug free” world within 10 years and, although that aim has now been considerably modified to match reality, the UN is to hold another special assembly in 2009 to review process. It is for this reason that some far-sighted people on the Vienna-based nGo committee on drugs developed the Beyond 2008 project, a year long consultation of nGos from around the world, culminating in the recent summit. The process

For those used to discussion and vigorous debate, the Beyond 2008 conference was a tedious and at times painful process and it is due to the drive and character of the chairman

and to the compromises made by some factions, that it achieved what it did. For diplomatic reasons, it was intended that everything should happen by consensus rather than by voting, as this would show greater solidarity and thus have more credibility with the Un. the protocols, procedures and etiquette of the Un were followed. this involved repeated polite statements of positions and much circumlocution. When a delegate said that something was “ridiculous”,

he was reprimanded by the chairman for using inappropriate language. When statements became similar, or noise from the floor quietened, the chairman declared that the clause in question was accepted. The protagonists

approximately two thirds of the delegates - those from the developing world - were funded by some eU governments and the Un. those from europe, north america and australasia had to fund themselves. Generally, it was this second group that provided most of the debate, but from two diametrically opposed camps. In one camp, the liberal and anti-prohibition side: human rights groups, civil liberties, hIV support, drug user unions, Students for

Sensible Drug Policy, Soros, LeaP, transform, etc and in the prohibitionists camp, a much smaller group from the Drug Free america Foundation, SUNDIAL, Drug Free schools, the US Narcotics officers association and one man from Drug Free australia (a former new Zealand window cleaner). this latter faction, with barely 10 regular speakers, fought tooth and nail to keep expressions such as “harm reduction” or acknowledgement of drug user involvement in policy making, out of the declaration. they repeatedly threatened the consensus by promising to attach dissenting statements unless the wording was diluted significantly. two young delegates from Students for Sensible Drug Policy saved the consensus at the last minute of the conference by proposing wording regarding the inclusion of young people in policy making, that was accepted long enough by the Drug Free faction for the chairman to accept it and close the conference. even as he did so, US narcotics officers delegates were rushing to microphones to speak, desperate to have the last word.

It was observed by some present that a woman from the US state department - not a delegate - was moving about coordinating and advising the Drug Free delegates on tactics and positions. It seems that the US government couldn’t even keep away from a non-government event.

that Beyond 2008 occurred at all and produced its historic declaration is due to the energy and character of the chairman michel Perron. thanks also go to ross Bell of the Drug Foundation for ensuring new Zealand’s involvement.

more: www.vngoc.org www.drugfoundation.org.nz/

UNGASS-beyond-2008

TE K

AKA

RIK

IIN

DO

OR

& O

UTD

OO

R.

PH

OTO

BY

CH

RIS

“The statement called for more resources for

demand reduction compared with

supply reduction, for policies to

be evidence and science based, and

for the efficacy of policies to be

reviewed.”

Page 9: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 9www.NORML.org.nz

law reform

STOP ARRESTING CANNABIS USERS: the Government should immediately declare a moratorium on arresting those who choose to use cannabis. Allow medicinal use - let doctors decide, not police and politicians.

DECRIMINALISATION: remove all penalties for the use, possession and growing of cannabis by adults and the non-profit transfer of small amounts. The draconian search provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act should be removed and criminal records for cannabis offences wiped.

REGULATION: a commercial market for marijuana will always exist. It is better to regulate that market than leave it to

organised crime. We support the introduction of Dutch-style cannabis cafes. Overseas experience shows cannabis law changes have not been associated

with increased use.

REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS: as with alcohol consumption, cannabis use should be limited to adults. Driving or operating

heavy machinery while impaired should remain prohibited.

HARM MINIMISATION: Cannabis policies should discourage irresponsible use, including use by adolescents. Prevention efforts can only be effective where cannabis is viewed from a public health perspective, instead of a criminal justice perspective.

NORML’s priorities forPot law reform

Canadian Judge here to raise awareness of ‘failures of prohibition’a memBer of a US group of current, former and retired law

enforcement officials is touring New Zealand to raise awareness of the failures of prohibition, as well as offer solutions that have proven to be successful.

Jerry Paradis, retired Judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, Canada, and now board member of Law enforcement against Prohibition (LeaP) recently stated that “from a court perspective, prohibition diminishes all the participants: the judges, by requiring them to park their common sense at home; the prosecutors, who know full well that what they’re doing is futile and damaging; and the police who, because these are victimless crimes, have to resort to two very problematic investigative approaches: the search and the snitch”.

the War on Drugs has cost US taxpayers over a trillion dollars

and arrested nearly 40 million nonviolent drug offenders; the United States boasts the highest prison population in the world. Where has this gotten the United States? the War on Drugs is a manifest failure, and has only compounded the societal problems associated with drugs. Is this, says Jerry, a policy that new Zealanders

want to emulate? Jerry’s speaking tour will

include stops in auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, timaru, Christchurch, and others spots across the country, from august 2 to September 10.

For tour dates and places, see www.leap.cc or email mildgreens@

gmail.com

Page 10: Norml News Spring 2008

10 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

J Day: Nationwide Cannabis ProtestsLocal activism

Au

CKLA

ND

J D

AY P

HO

TOS

BY

STJ

OH

N. D

uN

ED

IN P

HO

TOS

BY

CH

RIS

Dunsterdam - the stamping grounds of roaring activists abe Gray of 4.20

fame and aLCP candidate Julian Crawford - went off, as expected. the town boasted a trailblazing Cannabis awareness Week leading up to the day, which attracted scholars and activists from all over the country. among the many nZ law reform heavyweights who rolled up were Chris Fowlie, nandor, Blair anderson, Warren Bryson, metiria turei and Ken “Dakta Green” morgan with maryjane the Cannabus. highjinks naturally ensued, including a world hotbox record, as 78 tokers packed the bus. the police

mostly stood by helplessly - their master strategy appears to have pivoted around getting mr Fowlie to admit responsibility for a marijuana plant they arrived to confiscate. (Mission: unsuccessful.)

auckland organisers arose to pissing rain. a change of venue had already been forced and now the nightmare of postponement seemed inevitable. But from the heights of Grey Lynn, members spied patches of blue sky edging in from the West: Jah had smiled and the show would go on! the weather cleared up and the more centrally located myers Park turned out to be a fresh change from albert Park, where auckland J-Day is traditionally held. about two thousand people showed up to enjoy fat sounds and partake in the happy herb. the queue for the spotting station snaked far back into the crowd and every time the buds were about to run out some hero would step up, keeping the knives glowing all day!

hamilton J-Day cranked it up this year thanks to max Coyle and the tron crew who arranged for several top local bands to play at the Lake Domain Stage, attracting around 500 supporters. nandor flew home from Dunsterdam to lend a hand and led, with tim Wikiriwhi, some spirited korero on issues facing the Kiwi Cannaculture today.

Big ups to Christchurch normL and aLCP members who made their stand for freedom in this year’s most miserable J-Day weather. they were forced to shelter in a (conspicuously parked) van for much of the time, but herbs were smoked aplenty.

meanwhile, Wellingtonian weed-lovers celebrated J-Day in geurrilla-style pockets of resistance throughout the capital.

this year marks aotearoa’s 17th J-Day and this modern may Day tradition also continues to mushroom on a global scale. massive thanks goes out to all the performers and crews who gave their time and skills so generously - the event would be nothing without you.

J-Day will next be on Saturday May 2nd 2009. Auckland NORML wants your feedback - should

J Day stay in Myers Park or go back to its traditional home in Albert

Park next year?

Kiwi cannabis lovers came out in force across the country on J-Day, Saturday May 3rd, to celebrate their favourite plant and protest its prohibition. Nationwide, not a single arrest was made, reports JONATHAN RENNIE.

Dunsterdam

Hamiltron

Auckland

Page 11: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 11www.NORML.org.nz

Page 12: Norml News Spring 2008

12 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

ADVICE FOR SAFER DANCE PARTIESWhile the safest option is to not take any drugs at all, many people do choose to take illicit substances. Look after yourself and your mates.* ecstasy, cannabis and now BZP are illegal, and a conviction can mean prison.* much of what is sold as “ecstasy” on the black market actually contains other drugs, some of which can be more dangerous than mDma, like Pma, speed, DXm and PCP.* Frequent or high doses of ecstasy (mDma) have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory animals. It is still unknown whether such damage occurs in humans or, if it does, whether this has any long-term, negative consequences.* Some people experience depression after taking mDma. this is caused by mDma’s action on certain brain chemicals. try to plan ahead to allow for this, and don’t make any rash decisions.* there have been some deaths associated with mDma, usually a result of heatstroke from dancing for long periods in hot clubs without replenishing lost body fluids. Some deaths, however, have come from drinking too much water (so-called “dry drowning”). 600ml per hour is a good guide.* mixing drugs with alcohol increases the risk of adverse reactions.

for more info see www.dancesafe.org

Party safely on Takaka Hilltired of spending your new Years with drunken idiots? Keen

on avoiding the random violence and intensive police attention that comes with aotearoa’s crowded summer beach towns? Well, this summer you can join like-minded people at the Canaan Downs Festival, located at the old Gathering site on top of takaka hill.

In 2006, inspired by the Gathering and the potential of Canaan Downs to host spectacular and timeless events, an extended group of people purchased the land and launched a new Years event called Uprising. the alcohol-free and family-friendly event has since matured under the new title Canaan Downs Festival.

Coordinator Simon Kong says “the Festival is definitely an evolution of ideas, developed from Aotearoa dance culture. It is about a relationship with the land, a connection to each other, social responsibility and that these ideas are linked to positivity and good vibes.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, the organisers are developing this years line up around the

theme “rock to rave”, bringing contemporary electronic music together with classic kiwi rock and the latest wave of hip indy bands. to further break the mold, legendary poet and old toker Sam hunt is headlining the Festival, along with pot-friendly bands Little Bushman, the tiger tones, and internationally regarded live electronic acts antix and tom Cosm.

the Festival runs across two nights, 31st December and 1st January. tickets are on sale at Cosmic Corner stores nationwide. organisers are offering free entry for kids under 14 and senior citizens aged over 65. Spot you there!

For more info see www.canaandowns.com

NZ NEWS

Page 13: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 13www.NORML.org.nz

Drug Harm Index ‘useless’By CHRIS FOWLIE & BRANDON HuTCHISON

although a new drug index has glaring deficiencies which make it rather useless, it confirms cannabis use causes

the least harm of any drug.

WHITE RHINOby Flying High

WHITE RHINOby Flying High

The so-called Drug harm Index, developed by private consultancy firm BerL, is intended to help police and customs show off their illicit drug seizures.

But most of the Index’s ‘harms’ are caused by prohibition law enforcement - or are little more than figments of the imagination.

of the $431 million in social costs supposedly caused by cannabis, 56% is “costs of production”. BerL based this on the police’s guess of how much of the annual harvest they catch, assumed each plant yields 227 grams of usable buds, assumed a retail price, then assumed the costs of production are 25% of the retail price. that’s a lot of guesswork.

the index includes the costs of law enforcement, so it has a positive feedback loop. the more effort the police put in to a specific drug area, the more “harmful” it then becomes and, they will inevitably argue, the more effort should be put into policing it.

there is also no inclusion of the harms arising from drug polices themselves. there is a vast literature on this that the report’s authors seem unaware of. For example, much or even most of the crime

costs associated with illicit drugs is due to the buying and selling of the drugs, rather than any inherent pharmacological factor.

the authors also show a lack of understanding of illicit drug markets, where an intervention creates other unintended effects, thereby shifting the problem or the perceived problem. For example a shift to another more dangerous drug, or the elimination of a dealing network by law enforcement that generates a new round of violence while a new network forms.

not surprisingly, the report ignores the benefits of drug use to individuals and society and focusing only on perceived harms. There are indeed benefits from drug use - such as relaxation, medicinal or therapeutic use, or just plain old enjoyment - just as there are with alcohol use. alcohol, of course, was absent from the analysis.

the report says the annual total health care cost due to cannabis use was $7.5 million, which works out at $33 per user. Couldn’t we just legalise it, pay this amount in cannabis taxes each - heck, maybe even a bit more - and let the police get on with solving real crime?

Page 14: Norml News Spring 2008

14 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

normL activists and patients who use cannabis medicinally appeared before

parliament’s health Select Committee in June to testify in support of a petition that would legalise medical use.

the petition of more than 6000 signatures requested “parliament give urgent attention to changing the law to allow individuals to obtain, possess and use cannabis for treatment of serious medical conditions when this has been recommended or endorsed in writing by the individual’s registered medical practitioner.”

mPs on the committee seemed, on the whole, to be very supportive. the fact that marijuana is an effective medicine was not disputed. the only bones of contention came from the ministry of health. While they also agreed cannabis can be a useful medicine, they opposed smoking it and instead pushed for the government to allow the UK cannabis extract Sativex.

Sativex is a extract of herbal cannabis, made by UK firm GW Pharmaceuticals, who have a license from the UK home Office to grow and breed thousands of cannabis plants. It is approved in Canada and Spain.

the ministry’s opposition to herbal cannabis can be summarised as:

smoking anything is bad;• it’s hard to standardise the dosage;• the dangers of the illegal black market mean • allowing patients to grow their own could expose them to risk of burglary or assault. normL vice-president Will de Cleene

and Billy mcKee from patient advocacy group Green Cross set about demolishing the ministry’s arguments.

the dangers of the black market are, of course, only there because cannabis is illegal. If it were legal, there would be no crime or violence. But besides that, said Billy, patients are already growing their own, so are already exposed to these dangers, but they have no protection from the law and cannot go to the police for help. Legalising medical use would give real protection to patients and make

access to their medicine safer.the concerns about smoking and dose

control were next. It is inhaling cannabis that allows for instant onset and easy dosage control, compared to swallowing pills, which they noted take several hours to take full effect. the small risks from smoking pot need to be weighed up against the benefit to the patient. Furthermore, patients could avoid smoke altogether by using a vaporiser, or by using alcohol-based tinctures (which would be similar to Sativex but locally-made at a fraction of the cost).

Will had come prepared with a Vaporite hyper vaporiser - a flash looking machine that neatly demonstrated cannabis can be safely inhaled without any smoke.

he also pointed out cannabis can be grown to produce consistent amounts of active ingredients. In fact, this is precisely what GWP have done to make Sativex, so there is no reason it couldn’t be done here as well.

Given the positive tone of the hearing, we should expect a good report from the committee. that in turn should generate wider parliamentary support for the Green Party’s bill that would legalise medicinal use.

a poll run by tV3 after the hearing found 74% support for legalising medical cannabis.

14 NORML NeWS Summer 2008

MEDiCiNAL CANNABiSS p e c i a l S e c t i o n

Summary of known medical usesModern research suggests cannabis or its derivatives are valuable aids in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including:

> PAIN RELIEF -- particularly neuropathic pain and arthritis;

> APPETITE STIMULANT especially for patients suffering from cancer, HIV, AIDS wasting syndrome, anorexia or dementia;

> ANTI-NAUSEA - helping patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy or other debilitating treatments;

> EASING MUSCLE SPASMS in neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis or spinal cord injury;

> NEUROPROTECTION and protection against some types of malignant tumours;

> PLuS a host of other conditions including Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Gliomas, Gastro Intestinal Disorders, Hepatitis C, hypertension, Osteoporosis, Pruritis and Tourette’s syndrome.

Support for law reformA poll conducted by TV3 in Nov 2006 found 63% support for “legalising medicinal cannabis”.

A similar poll run on the TV3 website in July 2008 found 74% support. This is despite using the dreaded “L” word. If the poll had presented a more conservative approach, such as “allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines to seriously-ill patients” there may have been even greater support.

Survey of NZ DoctorsA survey of 500 New Zealand doctors by the Green Party in 2003 revealed that the more knowledge a doctor holds, the more likely they are to support the use of medicinal cannabis.> One in five doctors had patients already using cannabis medicinally;> 47 per cent had patients who had discussed the option of using cannabis;> 32 per cent would consider prescribing legal medicinal cannabis products.

NORML petition sparks medical cannabis hearing at ParliamentBy CHRIS FOWLIE

14 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

HAVE YOUR SAY Should patients suffer, or receive pharmaceutical extracts like Sativex, or be allowed to grow their own?> Get involved in the debate.> Write to or visit your MP and ask them to support the Greens’ Medicinal Cannabis Bill. Email your MP at norml.org.nz/emailMP

> Write to the Health Select Committee and tell them you support NORML’s medical marijuana petition.> Medical users: contact us for advice or to help with our campaign.

Page 15: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 15www.NORML.org.nz

research news

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 15

Prescription drug deaths exceed illegal drugsa recent analysis of autopsies in 2007 from Florida found that the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs was three times the rate of deaths caused by all illegal drugs combined.

Source: New York Times of 14 June 2008

Medical Studentsat the american medical association’s recent annual conference, the medical Student section unanimously endorsed a resolution urging the ama to support the reclassification of cannabis for medical use. the resolution will now go before the AMA house of Delegates for a final vote in november 2008.

Spices have the good oilSwiss researchers have discovered that beta-caryophyllene is a CB2 receptor agonist. this cannabinoid is not only found in cannabis but is also a constituent of the essential oils of numerous spice and food plants. Beta-caryophyllene is found in the essential oils of clove, hemp and rosemary. activation of the CB2 receptor may result in a reduction of inflammation and a slowing in the development of atherosclerosis.

Source: Gertsch J, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jun 23.

Better than aspirinJapanese researchers have found a potent CoX2 inhibitor in the cannabis plant, opening the way for the development of drugs better than aspirin.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is found in fresh undried cannabis as cannabidiolic acid, which researchers discovered is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (CoX-2 inhibitor). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (thCa) was much less potent.

CoX-2 inhibi tors have an ant i -inflammatory effect. Drugs such as aspirin work by suppressing activation of the cyclooxygenase (CoX) enzyme. however, as well as CoX-2, aspirin also inhibits CoX-1 enzymes, which can result in side effects such as stomach bleeding.

Source: Takeda S, et al. Drug Metab Dispos, 2008 Jun 12

aFter recently decriminalising the

personal use of cannabis, austria’s parliament has now passed a law regulating the cultivation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.

the law gives the health ministry’s health and food safety agency aGeS the exclusive right to grow the plant, which will then be distributed to authorised patients.

the president of the austrian pain studies association oeSG, michael Bach, welcomed the new legislation: “any initiative that makes it possible to develop

and provide new drugs for pain therapy is welcome.”

this follows a law that took effect on the 1st of January 2008 that effectively decriminalised drug possession for personal use. the

revised law now no longer considers the quantity but the personal use of a drug. anyone caught again within a probation period is threatened with prosecution.

many european nations have now stopped arresting people caught in possession of small quantities of drugs, and a handful, including the netherlands, Spain, Germany and Finland, allow for the use of medicinal cannabis by qualified patients.

Sources: AFP 10 July 2008; www. norml.org

the new South Wales state government wants to begin

a trial to prescribe the cannabis extract Sativex to help treat serious or terminally ill patients with a range of illnesses.

State health minister reba meagher said in may she would write to her federal counterpart nicola roxon for permission to import Sativex, which delivers cannabis compounds through an oral spray.

“We want the trial to start as soon as possible. however the support of the rudd Government would be needed to get tGa (therapeutic Goods administration) approval of the

drug for use in the trial. We’re hopeful the Government will approve.”

a cannabis-based drugs trial was first proposed in 2003, but lack of support from the howard government meant the program failed to get off the ground.

the australian medical association and nSW Cancer Council welcomed the proposal. “We believe medicinal cannabis may be of benefit in hIV-related wasting and cancer-related wasting,” said Dr John Gullotta, chairman of the association’s public health committee. he said it could also relieve nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Sources: AAP 18 May 2008; gw-pharm.com

NSW to try cannabis extract

AUSTRIA REGULATES MEDICAL SUPPLY

Speeches by the Greens, the Left and Free Democrats i nc luded demands fo r improvements to the access to cannabis medicines and an end to criminal prosecution for the severely ill.

although Government representat ives showed compassion and understanding for the suffering of the patients, they fell short of offering changes to the law.

“none of us doubts that

for many people cannabis is a helpful medicine” the federal drug commissioner Sabine Baetzing, of the Social Democrats. But she said a change in the law was not an option. the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and medical Products, part of Germany’s ministry of health, would continue to evaluate applications for the therapeutic use of cannabis on a case-by-case basis. this

is even though, like new Zealand, the application process for all involved is considerably more demanding than the prescription of a narcotic. So far, the Institute has issued permits to 10 patients and rejected 32 applications.

the Bundestag’s health Committee will hold a public expert hearing on the subject on 15 october 2008.

Source: German Bundestag. Transcript at www.cannabis-

med.org/german/bundestag_2008.pdf

the German lower house of parliament recently debated proposals supporting the

medical use of cannabis.

German Parliament debates medical cannabis

www.cannabis-med.orgfor the latest medical marijuana

research go to

PO

T O

F G

OLD

Au

CKLA

ND

Page 16: Norml News Spring 2008

16 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Research news

Why Schizophrenics use cannabisresearchers at Flinders University in adelaide, australia, asked patients with schizophrenia why they used cannabis despite the drug possibly worsening the course of the disease. Patients responded that they used cannabis for “control of symptoms, to feel normal, perceived improvement in cognitive function, reduced psychological pain and increased energy.” authors noted that “this research has implications for clinical practice as clinicians may lack insight into the importance of the phenomenological beliefs of a person with schizophrenia.”

Source: Costain WF. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2008;17(4):227-35

PainParacetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used analgesic drug, but new research has found the effect is abolished by blocking the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. acetaminophen does not bind to CB1 receptor, but its metabolite am404 is an reuptake inhibitor of endocannabinoids, and therefore increases their effects. It is also an agonist at the vanilloid receptor.

Source: Mallet C, et al. Pain. 2008 May 14

AnxietyPrevious research has shown that activation of the cannabinoid-1 receptor facilitates the extinction of conditioned fear in animals. New research confirms these results and shows that there are long-lasting effects. this may be the reason why cannabis products may be beneficial in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Source: Pamplona FA, et al. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2008 May 15

GranulomasItalian scientists have found that cannabinoids which activate CB1 or CB2 receptors also inhibit the production of blood vessels in granulomas, and thus reduce inflammation in associated conditions such as Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Source: De Filippis D, et al. Br J Pharmacol, 2008 Jun 16

aUSTRALIAN researchers have dismissed claims that increased cannabis potency

causes mental illness.a report released by the White house

claimed average thC in cannabis seized in the United States increased from about 4 per cent in 1983 to 9.6 per cent in 2007. But the claim that stronger weed is driving the occurrence of mental health problems is not supported by the evidence, said researchers at the australian national Drug and alcohol

research Center and the national Drug Research Institute, who had investigated the development cannabis potency in several countries.

“Increased potency has been observed in some countries, but there is enormous variation between samples, meaning that cannabis users may be exposed to greater variation in a single year than over years or decades. Claims made in the public domain about a 20- or 30-fold increase in cannabis potency and about the adverse mental health effects of cannabis are not supported currently by the evidence.”

Sources: Associated Press 12 June 2008, UPI 18 June 2008; McLaren et al.. Cannabis potency and contamination: a review of the literature.

Addiction 2008;103(7):1100-9.

PH

OTO

S B

Y C

HR

IS

www.cannabis-med.orgfor the latest medical marijuana

research go to

Cannabis extract Sativex improves pain thresholdUNIVeRSITy of rome

researchers investigated changes in the pain threshold in a group of 17 patients with multiple sclerosis, who received either the cannabis extract Sativex or a placebo.

The so-called flexion reflex or “nociceptive withdrawal reflex” is a reflex intended to protect the body from damaging stimuli. the classic

example is when you touch something hot and withdraw your body part from the hot object. It is a widely used technique to assess the pain threshold and to investigate neurotransmitter systems involved in pain control.

after patients used the cannabis extract the reflex threshold increased and ref lex area decreased.

authors concluded that “the cannabinoid-induced changes ... in patients with mS prov ide ob jec t ive neurophysiological evidence that cannabinoids modulate the nociceptive system in patients with mS.”

Source: Conte A, et al. Cannabinoid-induced effects

on the nociceptive system. Eur J Pain, 2008 Jul 4.

Potent pot not cause of mental illness

16 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

a neW study by the World health organization (Who) has found use

“is not simply related to drug policy, since countries with stringent user-level illegal drug policies did not have lower levels of use than countries with liberal ones.”

media here claimed new Zealand had the second highest rate of pot and cocaine use in the world, but the survey only covered 17 countries, with a combined sample size of 85,052. Cannabis use in the United States and new Zealand (both 42 per cent) was far higher than in any other country and was more than twice the rate of the netherlands.

the number of teenagers under the age of 15 who had tried cannabis was 7.0 per cent in the netherlands, and 20.2 per cent in the US. new

Zealand adolescents had the highest use rate in the survey - a whopping 26.8 per cent.

“the US, which has been driving much of the world’s drug research and drug policy agenda, stands out with higher levels of use of alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis, despite punitive illegal drug policies,” authors concluded.

“the netherlands, with a less criminally punitive approach to cannabis use than the US, has experienced lower levels of use, particularly among younger adults. Clearly, by itself, a punitive policy towards possession and use accounts for limited variation in nation-level rates of illegal drug use.”

So if drug laws have so little effect, why persist with criminal prohibition?

Source: http://tinyurl.com/6qty6u

WHO: Cannabis use not related to drug policy

TE K

AKA

RIK

I

Page 17: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 17www.NORML.org.nz

research news

LymphomasResearchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, have found increased CB1 and CB2 receptors levels in most non-hodgkin lymphomas. It seems it is part of the body’s defence against cancer. Cannabinoids were found to induce cell death in these cancer cells. researchers concluded “our results suggest that therapies using cannabinoid receptor ligands will have efficiency in reducing tumor burden in malignant lymphoma”.

Source: Gustafsson K, et al. Int J Cancer, 2008 Jun 10

Leukemiaresearchers of the University of London, UK, discovered a synergistic effect with dronabinol (synthetic thC) and cytotoxic agents used in the treatment of leukemia. Dronabinol sensitized leukemic cells to these cytotoxic drugs. they concluded that “a combination approach with thC and established cytotoxic agents may enhance cell death in vitro.”

Source: Liu WM, et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2008 Jun 30:1-10

Ultraviolet-induced inflammationUltraviolet radiation directly activates cannabinoid receptors, according to new research from the University of minnesota. Scientists demonstrated that the absence of cannabinoid receptors in mice resulted in a dramatic resistance to UVB-induced inflammation and in a decrease in UVB-induced skin cancer.

Source: Zheng D, et al. Cancer Res 2008;68(10):3992-8

Inflammation of the bowelanimal experiments have shown that cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, reduces inflammation of the bowel. researchers concluded that “cannabidiol may represent a good candidate to normalize motility in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.”

Source: Capasso R, et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2008 May 12

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 17

the administration of whole-plant cannabis

extracts provides superior pain relief compared to the administration of the plant’s isolated components, according to preclinical data to be published in the journal Phytotherapy research.

I n v e s t i g a t o r s a t t h e Unive r s i t y o f mi l an ’s Department of Pharmacology assessed the efficacy of natural plant-derived cannabis extracts compared to the administration of a single cannabinoid in an animal model of neuropathic pain.

resea rche r s r epor t ed that the administration of single cannabinoids such as thC or CBD produced limited relief compared to the administration of plant extracts containing multiple cannabinoids, terpenes (oils), and flavonoids (pigments).

“the use of a standardized extract of Cannabis sativa … evoked a total relief of thermal hyperalgesia, in an experimental model of neuropathic pain, … ameliorating the effect of s i n g l e c a n n a b i n o i d s , ” investigators concluded.

they added: “Collectively, these findings strongly support the idea that the combination of cannabinoid and non-

cannabinoid compounds, as present in [plant-derived] extracts, provide significant advantages in the relief of neuropathic pain compared with pure cannabinoids alone. … Further studies of cannabis-based medicines in neuropathic pain are now required to demonstrate a c l i n i c a l l y r e l e v a n t improvement in the treatment of this condition.”

two separate US clinical trials recently affirmed that inhaled cannabis significantly reduces neuropathy in patients with chronic pain conditions, such as hIV or spinal cord

injury, compared to placebo.Prev ious ly pub l i shed

preclinical data on cannabis and analgesia have shown that cannabinoids, when administered in concert with either opiates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, evoke greater reductions in pain compared to the administration of either drug alone.

Source: “Antihyperalgesic effect of a Cannabis sativa extract in a rat model of neuropathic pain,” in Phytotherapy Research. See

also www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3376

Study: marijuana extracts better for pain relief than isolated compounds“Cannabis sativa EvokEd a total REliEf of nEuRopathiC pain, amElioRating thE EffECt of singlE Cannabinoids” - study.

Teen use drops in US states that allow medical cannabismore than a decade after the passage of America’s first

state medical marijuana law, California’s Prop. 215, a considerable body of data shows that no state with a medical marijuana law has experienced an increase in teen marijuana use since its law’s enactment.

researchers of the State University of new York said medical cannabis laws in twelve states have not increased teen cannabis use, despite fears that have been raised when ever such measures are considered.

their report, based entirely on data from federal and state government-funded drug use surveys, found all states have reported overall decreases — exceeding 50% in some age groups — strongly suggesting that enactment of state medical marijuana laws does not increase teen marijuana use.

The report is available at http://www.mpp.org/teens/

www.cannabis-med.orgfor the latest medical marijuana

research go to

TE K

AKA

RIK

I

Page 18: Norml News Spring 2008

18 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

woRLD NEWS WITH HARRY CORDING

the soldiers, who were serving in the Provincial reconstruction team in Bamiyan province, were accused of sampling the local hashish.

nZ army Brigadier Dave Gawn fumed “there is no tolerance for the use of drugs by service personnel”, but early in July the charges were dismissed with much less fanfare than their arrest.

the Defence Force said mistakes were made during the investigation, and offered the soldiers counselling - perhaps to deal with the trauma of getting caught?

now all serving personnel and budding recruits are facing a drugs crack down. Under a new policy to be introduced by the end of the year, half of the Defence Force’s 12,000 personnel will be randomly tested each year – any time, anywhere. Staff would be tested

before being sent overseas, after any incident or accident or if there was “good cause” to suspect drug use. It seems they will use simple onsite screens to test on the spot for traces of cannabis and other drugs. however onsite screens, which resemble home pregnancy kits, do not meet the australia/new Zealand Standard for drug tests as they are unreliable and can return false positives.

the Defence Force said alcohol will not be included in the drug-testing regime, because it is not illegal.

Bamiyan Province, where the Kiwi troops

were stationed, lies on a main route for shipping cannabis and opium out of afghanistan.

According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of opium, and has become the world’s second largest producer of cannabis, after morocco. they are one of the few things that can be grown in the rugged environment that will earn any money. the cannabis plant is native to Central asia, and potent afghan genetics are now distributed all over the world. they have given rise to many high quality varieties of the herb.

In June Afghan authorities found and destroyed what is believed to be the world’s largest seizure of hash - around 230 tons. antonio maria Costa, executive Director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime and prohibitionist buffoon, called it “a major success for counter-narcotics in afghanistan. Drugs are financing terrorism and insurgency in afghanistan.”

The truth is that prohibition finances criminals and warlords. the more they try to eradicate drugs, the more they are worth, and the more is produced. afghanistan has been the doom of empires, from alexander the Great to the Soviet Union. the americans may be next.

Source: NZPA 28 March & 30 July 2008

THe Army was in the headlines for the wrong reason when six soldiers

were shipped out of Afghanistan to face drug charges at a court martial. The charges were later dropped, but now the Defence Force plans to introduce tougher drug testing rules.

UK: Cannabis Class B againaGAINST the advice of its own drugs advisory Panel, the British government has

moved cannabis back to Class B, increasing the maximum penalty for possession to five years in prison.

I n 2 0 0 4 c a n n a b i s w a s downgraded to Class C, making possession a non-arrestable offense and placing the herb in the same category as anabolic steroids and Valium. Since then not only have the number of cannabis arrests has fallen, marijuana use by young people age 16 to 24 has dropped by 20%.

Since taking office in June 2007, Prime minister Gordon Brown has consistently pushed for increasing cannabis penalties. Brown, also known as Stalin for his control freakery and mr Bean for his bumbling tendencies, said “the cannabis on the streets is now of a lethal quality and we really have got to send out a message to young people.”

ah yes, “sending a message” - a favorite piece of prohibition bullshit. But in recommending

retention of Class C, the advisory Panel noted: “the evidence for the existence of an association between frequency of cannabis use and the development of psychosis is weak.”

Paul Corry of the mental health charity rethink said Brown should heed the committee’s advice. “It does not make sense to reclassify. Use of the drug has gone down since it was downgraded in 2004 and research by rethink shows that only 3% of users would consider stopping on the grounds of illegality.”

Steve rolles, of the transform Drug Policy Foundation, added “I think if we want to send out messages to young people, rather than mass criminalisation of millions of young people, I think the way to do it would be in effective, targeted public health education.”

a new report f r o m t h e U K D r u g P o l i c y Commission has confirmed illegal d r u g m a r k e t s are “extremely resilient” and that increasing seizures of drugs have had only little impact on the availability of illegal drugs.

Latest figures estimate the size of the UK illicit drug market to be 5.3 billion British Pounds (about nZ$14 billion). But despite spending hundreds of millions of pounds each year on drug law enforcement, researchers found “there is remarkably little evidence of its effectiveness in disrupting markets and reducing availability.”

“the authors were unable to locate any comprehensive published UK evidence of the

relative effectiveness of different enforcement approaches. they were also not able to identify any published comparative cost-benefi t or value-for-money analysis for different interventions within the UK,” researchers wrote.

“enforcement can have a significant and unintended negative impact on the nature and extent of harms associated with drugs and this should be recognised and minimised.”

Sources: BBC, Reuters. http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk; UK

Drug Policy Commission: www.ukdpc.org.uk

Kiwi soldiers busted in Afghanistan

HIL

LBIL

LY C

LOS

Eu

P

Page 19: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 19www.NORML.org.nz

hoLLanD has joined the growing number of countries to ban tobacco smoking in

public buildings - including coffeeshops. the ban, which took effect on July 1, does not apply to cannabis, which can still be smoked in coffeeshops, but new regulations are in place for spliffs (cannabis-tobacco mixes) which are popular in europe.

Customers will still be able to smoke cannabis-tobacco mixes if the coffeeshop provides a special smoking room or partitioned area. But staff will not serve customers in these areas. Violating the new regulations could see coffeeshop owners fined up to 2400 euros.

the Food and Consumer Product Safety authority has a squad of inspectors ready to enforce the ban. Dutch authorities said the inspectors will be able to tell the difference between a pure joint and a spliff from their smell and appearance.

michael Veling, spokesman for the Cannabis retail association which represents some

110 coffeeshops, did not think the ban would greatly affect his business as most of his customers bought cannabis to take home.

he said only about two dozen of the group’s members had created separate spaces for tobacco smokers, adding that he would not. “I don’t see the benefits of it.”

arjam roskam, who owns the Green house coffee shop in amsterdam, is not worried. his marijuana strains have won 31 Cannabis Cup prizes over the years and he counts hollywood celebrities, members of europe’s royal families, lawyers, judges and police officers among his clients.

“the english, americans and Japanese are our biggest customers. already they don’t smoke tobacco,” he said. “We don’t mind the smoking ban.”

Coffeeshops are big business in holland.

adults are allowed to purchase up to 5 grams at a time. With more than 700 coffeeshops selling around 265,000 kilos of cannabis annually, most of it grown in holland, sales total around 2 billion euros. the Dutch government earns 400 million euros annually in tax revenues from cannabis sales.

Sources: NIS News Bulletin & Reuters

Dutch ban tobacco smoking - but pure joints still OK.

Illegal German weed laced with leadthe German city of Leipzig

recently had an outbreak of lead poisoning, after dodgy dealers laced their stashes with the toxic heavy metal.

Dozens o f peop le we re admitted to local hospitals with symptoms including abdominal cramps, nausea, anemia, fatigue, uncontrollable shaking, and hallucinations. all were regular pot smokers.

after three patients brought their stashes to a laboratory for testing, lead flakes were spotted through a microscope. It turns out dealers had mixed the tiny flakes into their stock, adding to the weight, and boosting their profits. The flakes were too small to be seen without magnification.

When the herb was smoked, the flakes vaporised and the lead was absorbed into the bloodstream. Lead is toxic, accumulates in the body, and can cause permanent damage to the brain and other

vital organs.It appears the dealers have

stopped adding lead - now that their customers are wise to the dirty trick.

Last year europeans had another hazard to contend with - tiny glass beads were added to UK buds, also to gain weight. the beads were only discovered after stoners sought medical attention for mouth ulcers, sore throats and severe coughs. During both of these episodes, governments made little or no effort to warn consumers of the dangers. that would draw attention to the harms that prohibition causes, and politicians place sounding tough on drugs above the health of their citizens.

once again the i r fe l low europeans have reason to envy the Dutch - you wouldn’t get contaminated weed in a Dutch coffeeshop!

Source: Reuters

New Mexico to regulate medical cannabisThe US state of New Mexico is setting up a regulated system for licensing, distributing and manufacturing medical cannabis. State law allows the medical use of cannabis for serious illnesses. The state proposes two types of licensed producers: a qualified patient who can produce up to four mature plants for personal use only and a non-profit private entity operating a facility limited to 95 mature plants and seedlings at any time. So far, the department of health has approved 169 people for medical cannabis.

Source: AP 24 July 2008

Holy Coke, Vatican!The Catholic church is slowly catching up to the 20th century - in more ways than one. Recently a man was convicted for possession of cocaine in the first drugs trial ever held in the Vatican. A man working at the Gubernatorial Palace received a suspended four-month jail sentence after 87 grams of cocaine were found in his office. The case highlighted the fact that there are no laws in the Vatican that specifically cover possession of drugs.

Source: Reuters 8 May 2008

Swiss Hemp InitiativeOn 30 November Swiss citizens will vote on “a rational hemp policy providing effective youth protection”. The referendum will decriminalise the purchase, possession and consumption of the psychoactive constituents of the cannabis plant. The Christian Democratic Peoples Party (CVP) has recommended voting against it, while the Social Democrats (SP) and Liberal Democrats are in favour.

Source: 20min.ch 28 June 2008

HIL

LBIL

LY

Page 20: Norml News Spring 2008

20 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Page 21: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 21www.NORML.org.nz

Page 22: Norml News Spring 2008

22 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

www.CANNABUS.org.nz

PH

OTO

S B

Y KEN

& F

OO

Z.

CA

NN

AB

IS IM

AG

E B

Y M

AM

IO M

AR

AIS

; M

AP B

Y JA

MES

D.

the Cannabus crew - Ken morgan, Brian and Fawuz,

otherwise known as Dakta Green, Dakta Grower and Dakta Fooz - received a hero’s welcome everywhere they went. People of all ages and all walks of life visited the Cannabis to express their support and share their stories and buds.

the crew faithfully observed 4:20 in every town they stopped in, with the bus parked in the most prominent location they could find. Ken told the locals to “bring your buds”. Some generous contributions were received, and many new normL members signed up.

all went well until Palmerston north, where the police decided to make trouble. the bus arrived on Good Friday and drove through the town announcing a public protest and session. they parked in the central city square and between 150 and 200 people gathered for 4:20. about 15 minutes into the protest a police

car arrived. Two officers came over and seemed interested in details of the tour. they went away to talk to their sergeant and as Ken noted, “It appeared things were not right.”

a few moments later he heard the sergeant say “there’s two over there. Just walk over slowly.” With that they arrested two guys who were smoking near maryjane.

as the handcuffs went on, Brian sparked up a joint, leaped from the bus and stood in front of the sergeant, saying “If you take them, you’ll have to take me too.” he took a large toke, blew smoke in the sergeant’s face, and was then arrested.

as the three were taken away, the crowd booed and jeered the police. one guy was arrested for disorderly behavior.

the protest immediately moved to the police station. Ken and Fooz went in to discuss the events that had transpired. more than 60 locals joined them, packing the entire foyer. the sergeant asked to

talk to Ken in private. “The sergeant demanded that I

remove our people from the foyer to the other side of the street. If we did not comply, every off duty officer he had would be called in, issued a baton, helmet and shield, and the foyer would be emptied. I could not believe what I had heard. a police sergeant was threatening more than 60 people in his station foyer with physical violence when all the people wanted was to find out what had happened to their family and friends who had been arrested. For smoking cannabis,” said Ken.

“In keeping with our passive resistance stance we left. We decamped to the other side of the street and fired up the barbecue.

“Police cannot be used to arrest citizens while they are engaged in a political protest. If we allow this to continue nobody will be safe when expressing their opposition

to Government policy.”the three Palmerston north

residents pleaded not guilty and their case was yet to be resolved at the time of writing.

the high cost of traveling to Palmerston north meant that Brian could not afford to defend his possession of cannabis charge. to have the case transferred required a guilty plea. he received 40 hours community service for possession - the minimum the judge said he could impose. the judge noted that Brian had been a long time advocate of law change - and remained unaware of the joint he had sparked up before going in for sentencing.

the tour met with a very different police response in Gisborne. at the end of the protest an officer came up and introduced himself as the District Commander for Gisborne Police. as Ken relates, “We had a wonderful chat. his

The CannaBus Tour:

'On the road to

freedom'BY HARRY CORDING

42 toWnS in 42 days - maryjane the normL Cannabus has travelled throughout new Zealand, spreading the message of freedom along the way and putting the case for cannabis law reform to the public.

CANNA CREW: Brian, Fooz and Ken

11 APRIL at the Beehive

Page 23: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 23www.NORML.org.nz

The CannaBus Tour:

'On the road to

freedom'

patrols had been asking about us so he came to see what we were about. I explained in some detail. he seemed pleased with what he heard and wished us luck as we continued with our tour.”

Pot comes to Parliament

on april 11 - Dakta Green’s birthday - the Cannabus went to Parliament. he describes it as “a surreal experience.”

“We arrived with “Conan”, our donated plant from Paeroa, proudly displayed in our windscreen. a police officer came over and only asked, ‘Would you please remove the plant from view?’

“50 or 60 people gathered on Parliament lawns and at 4:20 everybody sparked up. Police and security stood off to one side and it was clear there would be no incident. television crews were all over us but as there was no news coverage that night it is clear they were waiting for some ‘action/arrests’. they were disappointed. So now we know. Smoking cannabis on Parliament grounds will not lead to mass arrests.”

Conan was seized in Picton by police the following day. no one was charged. the police were going to conduct a warrantless search of maryjane until they accepted the crew’s suggestion they should check with head office first.

the following day was spent in motueka, where a good crowd turned out including local aLCP candidate Steve Wilkinson and Duncan eddy, who interviewed the bus crew

for the local community radio station.

In Westport, the 4:20 session took place outside the Clocktower. according to a local media report, constable Paul Sampson drove past the clocktower and saw the bus, which was surrounded by road cones. “When I saw the cones out, I made the assumption that the council had given them permission to be there. It crossed my mind that they might have been smoking cannabis but then I thought, surely not on the main street.”

Calling police bluff

the Cannabus a r r i ved i n Invercargill on April 29. The crew were looking forward to a smoke with mayor tim Shadbolt, but he was out of town. Dakta Green takes up the story:

“At 4.20 I addressed the crowd. I talked about the reasons for being in their city. I then invited the locals to join us in our form of civil disobedience and smoke a joint with us. People sparked up. toking was happening everywhere. about 50 people were gathered around maryjane when the police arrived.

5 APRIL: Invercargill

30 March: Paeroa

Page 24: Norml News Spring 2008

24 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

“We were informed that our protest was oK but anybody smoking cannabis would be arrested. We were then informed that as we had a plant on board the bus, I as driver would be searched and the bus would be searched under the warrantless search provisions of the misuse of drugs act.

“By this time more police were arriving. this was starting to shape up as the most serious incident yet on tour. Invercargill police were not going to be trifled with. Cannabis smoking was not going to be part of this protest. Searches and arrests were imminent.

“So we took the initiative. We suggested the police had better things to do than hassle us. after we have travelled so far and had such a positive response from many police, we suggested that perhaps they should check with head office before continuing down this path.

“The officers i n m y f a c e w e r e t h e n called away for a conference w i t h o t h e r off icers and we continued w i t h o u r protest. then they left. they saw the plant on prominent d i s p l a y i n m a r y j a n e ’s

windscreen. that was after all their justification for invoking a warrantless search. But having invoked the search, they backed off . nobody was arrested. nobody was searched. nobody had their smoke taken. our plant remained on board. So we planted it right there in the garden, at the Cenotaph. and the locals cheered.

“the people told the police in words and deeds to back off. they came. We stood up to them. then they left. It was a good day in Invercargill.”

On to Dunsterdam

on april 25 the tour rolled into Dunsterdam (formerly knows as Dunedin) to kick off Cannabis awareness Week. the Cannabus arrived amid much fanfare and drove around the suburbs with Ken on the loudspeaker

encouraging people to join the 4:20 on the Union Lawn.

B e c a u s e t h e University withdrew permission at the last minute to have the bus enter campus, they pa rked on Cumberland Street outside the Students Association office. t h i s m a d e t h e protest visible to every car driving by on State highway 1, and probably did more to associate the University with daktivism than if they had just let the bus park on the Union Lawn. about

85 people attended the welcome ceremony.

organised by otago n o r m L , C a n n a b i s awareness Week week was a lively program of protest events, gigs, lectures and information days climaxing on may 3 with J Day. the major event of the week was a lecture and debate on the topic “Cannabis and Alcohol: Is Prohibition rational?”

the rest of the week was spent taking part in Dunsterdam celebrations inc luding hotboxing maryjane with a world-record 78 people packed inside.

J-Day in Dunedin

around 150 people gathered in the octagon on a very chilly, blustery day. But the weather perked up, and a good time was had by all. the Cannabus was parked in a prominent position, putting out irie beats and plumes of marijuana smoke. one healthy marijuana plant sat on the dashboard of the bus as usual, while another little gem of a plant sat on a table outside, as first prize in a raffle to be drawn later in the day.

a cop came by, walked around, then left. People smoked a lot of pot.

then a couple more cops came and parked by the bus. they walked over and one of them grabbed a leaf of the plant outside the bus and had a sniff (clearly the correct way to identify a marijuana plant).

the two cops then politely told the crowd that they had a right to be there, and they understood that they were m a k i n g a point. But they confiscated the plants because they believed t h e y w e r e cannabis. this provoked a lot of booing and

heckling from the crowd. as no one claimed ownership of the plants, no one was arrested [actually, they tried to pin it on me - ed].

the cops said if people had a problem with this, they were welcome to come down to the station and discuss it with them. then they left (after sneakily inhaling the marijuana smoke that surrounded them). Dakta Green suggested that everyone march down there and demand the plants back. to his disappointment, this didn’t happen - he was hoping to hotbox the police station foyer.

Some good bands played and people continued to smoke a lot of pot. one cop sat in an unmarked car overlooking the event for a couple of hours. Chris Fowlie and a few other people talked to him now and then, making sure he wasn’t too lonely.

www.CANNABUS.org.nz

24 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

30 APRIL: Invercargill

2 MAY: Hotbox in Dunedin

22 APRIL: Cathedral Square

19 APRIL: Arthur’s Pass

Page 25: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 25www.NORML.org.nz

Buds and Buddies

may 15 was a calm sunny day in Wellington as daktivists

gathered at Parliament. Ken’s “Buds and Buddies road trip to Parliament” had arrived. From high noon to 4:20 the Cannabus crew and supporters - about 40 people all up - gathered on the Beehive’s front lawn to proclaim their message - Stop Locking our People Up.

Ken had formally invited a spokesperson from every party in Parliament to speak on their cannabis policy for the coming election. only two mPs - metiria turei and nandor tanczos - took up the invitation. however, national leader John Key put in a brief appearance. as he was getting into a car, Ken waved him over. Key had no idea what it was about, but it being election

year and all , he schmoozed over to meet and greet. Ken gave him our message - “Stop l o c k i n g p e o p l e up for cannabis.” K e y s a i d h e would “take it into consideration” and escaped to his car.

maori Party mP hone harawi ra came over for a brief chat. he said he was just there to get away from

Parliament for a few minutes, but to give credit where due, he was willing to talk to us and seemed reasonably open minded.

h u m a n r i g h t s Posse from taranaki did some irie hip hop and a sound system helped keep the vibe going.

many joints were passed around during the afternoon, and the sight and smell of cannabis would have been obvious to anyone with eyes and a nose. Yet the cops and security acted like they didn’t notice. one of the security guts actually thanked us for providing music - it must get pretty boring, standing around there all day.

to light up in the forecourt of Babylon, where the laws against us are made, was a liberating experience - especially as we

realised we were getting away with it.

rumor has it that the order came from “up high” to leave us alone. Whatever. the point is, we openly smoked cannabis in Parliament grounds, and no one was arrested.

It’s another step on our road to freedom.

www.CANNABUS.org.nz

NOW & THEN 2008TOBACCONISTS & GIFTS

SMOKER’S SUPPLIES

6 TOTARA AVE, NEW LYNN

NEW MANAGEMENTNEW STOCK (& OLD FAVOURITES)

NEW SMILES

T/H MON-FRI 9.00 - 6.00SAT 9.00 - 5.00PH 09 827 0705

13 MAY: Ken & Metiria in Wgtn

15 MAY: Key meets Dakta

Page 26: Norml News Spring 2008

26 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

The Dread has left the House. New Zealand’s highest profile cannabis campaigner is no longer a Green mP, but in this discussion with CHRIS FOWLIE, ras Nandor Tanczos says you can expect to hear more from him soon.

INTERVIEW

Chris: Gidday mate, and welcome back to the land of regular people! What were your expectations at the beginning? The impression perhaps was that you felt disappointed with your time there or with what happened.

Nandor: I went in really expecting nothing from the place. I joined the green party because I felt there was a kaupapa that was vital for the 21st century the Greens were the only party that had anything to say of relevance to the world we were going into as far as I could see. So I wanted to support that kaupapa. When the Green party became independent of the Alliance I got involved in various activities as you will remember. When people in the party asked me if I was going to stand or asked me to stand as an MP I thought about it a lot, because I come from an anarchist background, I’m a rastafarian, both of those things we don’t really engage in parliamentary politics. and I never expected anything from parliament. I’ve never seen parliament as a place where

real change is going to happen, progressive change, the kind of change that we need is going to happen. I stood because we had a chance to and I felt it was important that there was someone in parliament who was outside of the box. to say, you can be yourself, and you can be in there, and you can cut it and you can be as good as any of them, but you can be yourself. You don’t have to conform to all that bullshit about who you’ve got to be to be a power broker. I wanted to break down prejudice. I wanted to confront them with the reality of who we are, which I think I have done after nine years. Interesting the things that people are saying about me when I left compared to what they were saying about me when I entered are quite different.

So I went in really as a symbolic thing as much as anything else. And I never expected to be able to do anything useful in parliament because I already recognised it as a place coopted by corporate agendas and coopted by power itself, you know people become inflated with their own self importance because of those

positions of power so when I came out telling them off it wasn’t that I was disappointed or disillusioned, it wasn’t as though I had any illusions in the first place, but nevertheless those things still need to be said.you said you were there for almost symbolic reasons and yet it was the things that you stood for, the symbols as such, that got held against you. your hair, your alleged cannabis use. Because of these reasons, doors were closed.

and that got in the way of some of the things I was trying to do. Let me say as well that having gone in kind of symbolically, what I discovered, the first thing I discovered was that there were more opportunities to make changes than I had at first thought. What I hadn’t realized was the power of being there, having a seat at the table, having a vote at the table. the ability to articulate dissent is an important one even if it doesn’t change the result. to articulate it and have it on the record. We need a historical record of those that stood

RasTa Reason

INTERVIEW

Page 27: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 27www.NORML.org.nz

against them. you can change things, I changed legislation, I made amendments, I introduced legislation. I’ve made a practical difference in terms of legislation and policy which I’m really proud of, but also after going through that I then also came back to the realisation that the changes that you can make in there are limited, because the place is so co-opted and governments and almost all political parties in there are so compromised by corporate agendas and their own self importance, that the really fundamental changes that we need to make in the world today - I just don’t see them coming from them. The cannabis inquiry got stalled for political reasons, purely to get back at the Greens for Corngate or whatever. yet cannabis arrests have dropped about 20 percent every year since then. Society has changed and the Police have changed.

I think that the cannabis inquiry did have a really big impact even though we didn’t get the law changed. I mean if you go back to the

report, its still actually an excellent report that lays out what the issues are, lays out still a pretty good guide to the health impacts and all those things, it does weigh up all the policy options, it doesn’t come up with a recommendation saying we should change [but] if you read those pros and cons its pretty clear that prohibition is the worst one. So those Select Committee reports they actually do have impact. I’m sure the select committees report is part of the things that’s changed the attitude. there was really good coverage of the issues through that inquiry and

also people came and made representations for the first time to a select committee, really courageously. I was really impressed and inspired by all the people that came forward. I think it did make a difference. I certainly wouldn’t want those people to think that it was a waste of their time, because I don’t think it was.

Coming back to your earlier question, the fact I was a dreadlocked Rastafarian, that I openly used cannabis and unashamedly and are honest about it you know and all the kinds of stuff that goes with being part of the marginalized, outside the main stream, I think it was really important being there but there is no doubt that that also created an obstacle, which is why after two terms of holding the cannabis drug policy portfolio, even though I was an expert at drug policy, I gave the portfolio up because it became increasingly apparent that I had become an obstacle to change. having kinda opened the door by being open about it also became a blockage. my hope was that by

standing aside, some of that blockage would go away. Now I am actually optimistic that the tide for cannabis law reform is still coming in. and I hope that now someone will pick up the championing of the cause in parliament but who doesn’t have the same political liability that I have.Where is that going to come from - who is our next hope?

I’m not sure, I haven’t seen it coming forward yet. I don’t know where it is going to come from, but you know its early days yet. no one was going to pick it up while I was in Parliament maybe now that I’m out, that will create a space. In some ways the real thing is again a conscience vote because there are a lot of people in national who want to support law reform, and if you generally follow the kaupapa of the national Party, you should support drug law reform.

this is the curious thing about the left and right thing, and why I for a long time have tried to position myself outside that continuum. In a lot of issues I’m left wing, there is no doubt about it, but cannabis law reform seems to me more intrinsically more a right wing issue than a left wing issue because it is about individual freedom. In hindsight we came really close to changing the law about five years ago. If get to a similar position, what can we learn from that so we actually get something through?

I do blame myself a lot for the missed opportunity. I think if I’d been more experienced I personally could have done more, in that just being less reasonable I think. More pig headed and arm twisting, Its

The Greens’ Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill will legalise the medicinal use of cannabis for patients who have the approval of their doctor. The bill covers any condition “where the use of cannabis may alleviate the pain and suffering associated with that condition or the treatment of that condition”. Registered patients would be able to grow their own. If they are unable to, they could nominate a friend or caregiver to do it for them. For more info see www.greens.org.nz/campaigns/cannabis

DREADZONE: Left: Nandor leaving the debating chamber for the last time; top: campaigning on the first NORML bus tour, circa 1992; below: standing up for drug law reform at J Day; right: on the election trail in 1999.

INTERVIEW

Page 28: Norml News Spring 2008

28 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

difficult because the party, my party … it was a contentious issue within the Green Party, and that made it more difficult, but what we should have done is just said “you will change the fucken law”, actually what we should of done is said “no inquiry, we don’t want a fucken inquiry, you will change the law this year otherwise we are pulling the plug.” that is what we should have done.I hear some criticism from activists who blame the Greens for not doing enough. What is your response to that. Is it fair?

It’s a difficult question, and it depends from what position you are looking at it from. there is no doubt that the Greens have done more for drug law reform than any other party in parliament, sensible drug policy in general they are the only party in parliament, so I think it would be unfair to not acknowledge that.

at the same time, because it was controversial within the party and key people were very hesitant about it, I think the Greens made a strategic error. Because some people were hesitant about it, I was kind of hobbled from pursing the issue as aggressively as it needed to be done. the Green Party made a collective decision, the caucus made a collective decision against my view and the view of some others like rod Donald and Keith Locke. there was a collective decision not to aggressively go out and promote cannabis law reform but to kind of defend ourselves when attacked. now that was inadequate. What we needed to do was go aggressively and take the issue out there, ‘cos we had all the arguments, we had all the evidence, we would have won any argument that we entered in to and if we had been wholeheartedly about it as a party I think we could have gone a lot further.

So I guess what I am saying is yes and no. We did more that any other party, and I think the Green Party should get credit for that, but we made a strategic error collectively. But moving forward, the reality is what are your choices: the legalise cannabis campaign [aLCP] for all their commitment and passion are not going to be in parliament, so people

can vote, I just think their chances of that happening are so remote as to be more or less irrelevant.

I think in terms of voting it’s still more useful to vote for the Green Party because you know that you are voting for people who support law reform. I think that the Green Party is not going to make cannabis law reform an election issue, they are just not going to

do that anymore, but I think that they will - if the opportunity arises - they will pick it up. Like metiria turei, who’s our drug policy portfolio, she’s got a members bill on medical marijuana. She’s being strategic about it, she hasn’t introduced it into parliament, ‘cos she knows right now we’d lose the votes. She wants to get it through and she’s working to do that, not necessarily in major headlines. She is quietly working away on it. I think that, like with most political issues, I think that the

movement has to take leadership again. that is the only way you are going to get it on the agenda, and the only way it got on the agenda in the first place was that the movement put it on the agenda. It wasn’t the Green Party that made cannabis law reform a political issue, it was NORML. It was NORML who made it a political issue. the Green Party were just the

ally, the Green Party didn’t make it a political issue. So, its going to be the same thing again. Political parties rarely make things political issues. mostly it is the movement that makes the issue and the political party will champion it in parliament.

to be effective what we need to do as a movement is sit down and really look at what have we been doing, what have we got, who have we got, what are our resources and how can we use that strategically? there are people in the movement who are really good at some stuff but are really unhelpful in other areas. You know we need to collectively go, let’s be strategic, who have we got, lets make sure that everyone has their place, stuff they like to do, lets get them doing that, so that we move forward together. there is still a lot of division in the movement which I think is going to hinder forward progress.As an mP what was it about the movement you were impressed with, and from a parliamentarians point of view, what have we got going for us?

It’s hard for me to give a clear picture right now because I’ve been so in that world, its really focused. there is a lot of good things going on. there’s some really amazing people, commit ted people , there is a wealth of information, really good information. there is a magazine that goes out nationally which communicates to the network. there is still a massive latent support for law reform.

In a way the thing that really struck me during the cannabis enquiry, and that debate in Dunedin, is ordinary people getting up and I think really honestly, and it just cuts through all that bullshit. that is really powerful, just the honesty and integrity of

that thing is really, really powerful, I think. there is still a lot there to work with, it’s just kind of bringing it all together and building a bit of momentum. I think the challenges are once again finding things for people to do that’s going to take us forward.

the thing that worries me is there is a

“I n e v e r expected anything

from parliament.

I’ve never seen parliament as a place where

real change is going to

happen”

INTERVIEW

“ It wasn’t the Green Party that

made cannabis law reform a

political issue, it was NORML.”

INTERVIEW

Page 29: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 29www.NORML.org.nz

backlash for drugs reform based around P, and it’s being used once again to target drug users. So you see the clown up north who wants to drug test all school kids, all sorts. this stuff is building momentum because there is money to be made and people are fearful of P - and probably fairly so - but there are a whole lot of people who are there to exploit those fears.

So there is that going on, but there is things like what is going on internationally, there is a review of international conventions, you’ve got these really evidence-based impartial organizations like the Drug Foundation, who I think are really helpful because they are not seen as a lobby group, they are being this kind of authoritative voice, but when you look at the kind of stuff, the evidence they have got, the evidence is the evidence. Something that we have always been strong on is we look to the evidence as opposed to our opponents.

One of things I think is we have to find a way of breaking out of our locked in camps. It came up during the Dunedin debate again and I thought it was an interesting point. I looked at Jim anderton who was just locked into his mindframe, and to our side - there were some people there on our side of the debate who were also just totally locked into their mindset. Now we have to find some way of crossing that bridge. I think that all these people are locked into the prohibition mindset ‘cos they are scared.

I think we can meet all their needs. I’m sure there is a way of communicating so that we breakdown some of this locked in opposition and free things up a bit. I’m sure there is a way of doing that, y’know, and I think that is one thing we have to focus on, because otherwise what happens is the opposition just builds so we end up with a balance on both sides, and if the opposing forces were balanced we would lose. We are trying to change things, not maintain the status quo, so we have to find some way of reducing that opposition by acknowledging those real fears that people feel. We’ve got to hear our opponents.So what’s next for you? you’re chilling out in a house truck in the middle of the Waikato somewhere.

yeah, finishing a house truck in the middle of the Waikato. We are living in it and it’s good, but there are still things that need to

be finished. Growing veges, planting trees, raising chickens and family, so that’s all good. I’m looking at going back to do some tertiary study. I think in parliament you soak up information through your skin, it’s like you just get filled up with information, but there is no time to reflect, so there’s no wisdom - its just ‘stuff’. that’s why there is so little wisdom in that place. Wisdom comes from reflection

and there is no time for reflection, so going back to university would be a way for me to reflect a bit and do some deep thinking, and I’m looking forward to doing that.

But also needing to make a living so I’m trying to establish a business, ‘cos looking at the last nine years in parliament I’ve picked up an enormous amount of information about stuff and also about political processes and I want to make that information and expertise available to the community and to nGos, not to corporates - fuck them - but to community organisations, people doing positive stuff. I want to help to d e c o n s t r u c t t h e sys tem and help people become more politically effective.

also a bit of media work, there is a real space for a deep green analysis and public debate, so I

want to be part of pushing that. You get left and right commentators, you don’t get green commentators. Like the herald has the ‘green pages’ but its all like take a shorter shower and change your light bulbs, which is cool but it’s also very shallow.

I’ve always loved to do education so doing workshopping around treaty issues, sustainability issues, political stuff into adult education, and also maybe see if I can get into schools and do like civic education in schools and breakdown political stuff for kids. So I’m trying to kind of put a package of these things together to see if I can do work that accords with my heart and also earns me enough money to make a living. I don’t need to earn a lot, we live pretty simply in a bus, ha ha.

www.nandor.net.nz

Rastafarian rightsItaly’s appeals court has ruled that because Rastafarians consider cannabis a sacrament, followers should be given special consideration when it comes to possession - and how much qualifies for trafficking.A reggae musician had been sentenced to 16 months in prison by a lower court after being found in possession of enough cannabis for approximately 70 joints. The Court of Cassation annulled his sentence, saying the amount appeared appropriate for personal use considering the heavy amounts that Rastafarians smoke, and ordered an appellate court to review the case.

Source: Reuters 10 July 2008

INTERVIEW

“ There is no doubt that the

Greens have done more

for drug law reform than any

other party in parliament”

“I want to help deconstruct

the system and help people

become more politically effective”

Page 30: Norml News Spring 2008

30 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Page 31: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 31www.NORML.org.nz

Page 32: Norml News Spring 2008

32 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

TRAVEL

hempworks is like the hemp Store in a’dam, and you couldn’t meet a cooler crew of dedicated stoners, so I felt right at home from the get go. I actually hadn’t checked my itinerary upon landing and the first shop I happened to walk into was this one. I just introduced myself, said I worked in the hempstore in nZ and the next thing you know I was in the backroom puffin on some of the best strains in the world rigging up an interview. That’s what I’m talkin about! Of all the places I visited they were the only ones who would consistently roll big fatties of straight up high grade. no spliffs, no hash, just the good shit. this impressed me no end, as most people in europe won’t smoke straight joints. Anyhoo I pulled up a couch with adam Dunn to talk shop.Pauly: So just for the record Adam, how long have you been in operation here in

Amsterdam?adam: We started

in 1993. Back then it was called CIA, Cannabis In amsterdam was the acronym, and the original thing was it was a counter culture centre. We didn’t have as much product as we have now, some hats from america which were considered quite expensive, $11 I recall which is not that expensive now but that was before people started paying $50- $60 you know. So we started selling the merchandise to some of the shops, Greenhouse, Serious Seeds Company and the Bulldog but a lot of companies weren’t into it, they thought it was too expensive, not realizing you get

what you pay for.What would you say is your main role in cannabis culture in Amsterdam?

Well quite unfortunately actually we are the only dedicated hempstore in town. Its slowly getting to the point where other shops are starting to carry our stuff but only in bits and bobs, and only the touristy stuff. We realized that if you want to sell a really high quality product

you want the surrounding to be high quality too. You don’t want a really expensive item in a cheap store, otherwise people don’t see why they should spend so much. So we’ve made the store a high end hemp shop, we sell high end quality seeds and high end quality products so everyone understands that when they walk in the door that we’re not just like other stores.[At this point Adam has just crafted an enormous number of the one and only Trainwreck. Time to move the interview along before it lives up to its name I say... ]

What are the new and exciting products on the shelf at Hempwork’s?

right now as we are moving into the winter season, our flagship is the hoodlamb jacket. It’s got a lot of features on it; thick fur liner, (20% hemp fur I might add) wind resistant, built in paper dispenser, secret pockets, its one of those items that if your friends got one you can guarantee their mates gonna want one too.Is it true it can be made bulletproof?

Yeah we can, we’ve sold about 20 of them so far which is surprising, but its great for doormen who don’t have to look like they are all suited up. You just feel like its

the third and final installment of Pauly’s trip to amsterdam is a cuppa and a joint or 3 with

hempwork’s, amsterdam’s only hemp dedicated store, who also happen to make the “hemp hoodLamb” brand of clothing and have won multiple Cannabis Cups with their “thSeeds” range of marijuana seeds.

PH

OTO

S:

PAu

L.Y.

PAu

L

Page 33: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 33www.NORML.org.nz

Page 34: Norml News Spring 2008

34 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

TRAVEL

a winter jacket so your not immediately a target. We made one for Snoop Dogg, that was the original one. holland is not the most fashionable of places so we also have a completely new summer line based on bamboo, soy and hemp. the bamboo has good breathability, the soy is very soft, and the hemp is the strongest natural fibre in the world so its a great combination.

Yeah we are also working on a glass pipe line now called Snob and this will be available during the Cup. multi-chambered bongs, full colours, and they will all have a marble in the base so it magnifies through the water, for the stoners to appreciate.Its great as a kiwi to see hemp culture thriving here in Amsterdam.

Something that people don’t realize is that when people buy hemp in america its for the cause, when people buy hemp over

here its for the quality of the material. People know its good and that’s why they buy it, so we have to have products that are wearable and sellable. In America they can get away with a lot more because people will spend $50 on a shirt just to feel a connection to the industry, and might not buy weed for a couple of weeks but they have that shirt! the most frequently asked question in american hemp stores funnily enough though is ‘can I buy some weed’?yeah we get that all the time too bro. [note to readers please stop asking!] The culture surrounding cannabis started in America too didn’t it?

that’s right and what people don’t realize about holland is that although it has this history they are mostly dedicated towards their hash. they’ve only started getting into their weed in the last 5 - 10 years, and in those years

its been the American influence of the people that came here to escape america, but as many people know its biting us in the ass right now because California is going off the hook and more people are moving to Cali than a’dam because a’dam is becoming a lot tighter and Cali is becoming more lenient.Is the seed selling and ganja market getting more competitive here?

Well it is in some ways, but it is getting more incestuous and watered down in other ways. When we first started was just a handful of companies, but in the last 5 years it has really mushroomed out a lot. But it is the same people backing almost 20 seed companies, throwing names out there and selling whatever. Compared with other companies who have a lot more money and resources we have slowly worked our way up the market. We started with Sage 14 years ago and now we have about 20 strains, whereas with some other companies its like a Chinese restaurant where you have 5000 dishes on the menu and you wonder if its the same thing or is it actually 5000 different dishes! and it’s not. With us 20 is enough, it’s actually too much and we want to drop a few because its hard to maintain the quality.So what’s the standout strains for you guys?

the number one strains for us are Sage, Sage’n’Sour, mK Ultra, and we have the hog. the Sage really stands out for not being like all the other hazes. most hazes come from neville’s haze, a great plant with a great flavour, but it was a group of plants that came from central California in the mid 70’s that we used. So the sage is a hazy sativa crossed with a pure afghan called Mazer-il-Sharif. The difference I noticed is that it has a freshness to it. People tend to have a love/ hate relationship with it. It’s too intense for some people. Some have been thrown out of coffeeshops for lighting it up, it has a kinda weird burnt rubber smell to it. Interestingly enough people in minnesota called it ‘Kawasaki’ for that reason. Smell is very important to us, that it is unique, like right now we’re smoking a strain called trainwreck, from arcadia, California. It’s quite famous, and has been around for almost 20 years now. Its almost a bonsai plant, is a little bit difficult to grow, but the flavours are intense. The smell is best described as methylated dead whale, whatever that smells like! It’s got a putrid but sweet smell to it and the effect is intense. [I can vouch for Adam on that one, I’m starting to see 2 dictaphones at this point] So we’re crossing this one with the mazer-

il-Sharif and we’re gonna call it a-train, which will be our cup entry this year.

the strains in our stable are tested by people on a natural selection like Sour Diesel, oG Kush, hogs Breath, da Purps, trainwreck. all these varieties have established themselves in the local communities. We have philosophies on re-working strains that other companies don’t have, but at a certain point if you don’t re-work them some of them will disappear, so its like a service to the culture. ‘to protect genetics and serve mankind’ is our motto. there is a lot of strains that will go missing if something isn’t done. then there’s always people who have their back in the day stories, some hippy with a story of how the weed used to be stronger and yet every study comes back saying the weed is stronger, we have more flavours, and are more refined and on top of it than ever!

And on that note we’ll bring to an end the Hempworks interview.

Thanks to Adam, Doug, Caroline and all the crew at Hempworks for the hospitality and knowledge - keep the fires burning y’all.

That’s also the final chronic-le of Pauly Paul for this round. Its been great bringing my tales of doobie’s and debauchery to you, and I heartily recommend getting your ass over there where you can create some chronic-les of your own. Peace out...

Hempworks is at Nieuwendijk 13 in the center of Amsterdam, just 5 minutes from Central Station.

www.hempworks.nlwww.hemphoodlamb.com

www.thseeds.com

PHOTOS: above: a glass bucket bong. Left: THSeed strains; Previous pages: Adam skinning up and the Hempworks store front.

PH

OTO

S: PA

uL.

Y.PA

uL

& T

HS

EED

S.C

OM

Page 35: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 35www.NORML.org.nz

Page 36: Norml News Spring 2008

36 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Cannabis Canada!

FEATURE

While their country swings from decrim to crackdown, Canada’s potheads keep pushing for legal weed. By DANA LARSEN. PHOTOS BY GuPPY FISH

the past fifteen years have seen amazing growth

and development in Canada’s cannabis culture. although marijuana remains illegal, and indeed more Canadians are behind bars for pot-related offences than ever before, the marijuana movement is very strong, and many great strides have been taken to increase access to industrial hemp, medicinal marijuana, and accurate information.

also, more Canadians are smoking marijuana than ever before, with almost 17% of adult Canadians toking up each year, a higher rate than any country in europe or the americas.

CANADIAN HEMP

Canada legalized the cultivation of low-thC industrial hemp in 1998, and the country now has a thriving and expanding industrial hemp industry, with about 10,000 hectares being cultivated each year. most of the hemp is grown for seed production, and hemp seed oil and food products are now available in most mainstream grocery stores.

the biggest market for Canadian hemp products is the USA. In 2001, the American Drug enforcement agency (Dea) tried blocking imports of hemp oil and other hemp food products, claiming that even the tiniest amounts of detectable thC made them illegal. Canadian hempsters finally won

legal access to the US market in 2004, after a three-year court battle with the Dea. Canadian-grown hemp is now the number one source of hemp seed oil and food products in the USa.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

the Canadian government was forced to create a medical marijuana program in 2000, after major court rulings threatened to strike down the entire prohibition against marijuana if medicinal access was not allowed. now thousands of Canadians have a government-issued permit to grow and possess a limited amount of marijuana for their own medicinal use.

the Canadian government is even growing marijuana, and selling it to patients for about $6 a gram. Yet unfortunately the government-grown cannabis is notoriously low-quality - patients receive a finely-ground mix of buds, leaves and stalks which has been irradiated and freeze-dried. one independent test of the government marijuana showed it to be high in heavy metals such as arsenic.

there is another source for medicinal marijuana however - an increasing number of “compassion clubs” across Canada are selling marijuana to thousands of patients who have a doctor’s note, but no legal permit. most major Canadian cities now have one or more of these medicinal marijuana

clubs, and although they do sometimes face raids in smaller communities, they seem to face little persecution in any big city. one of the biggest and oldest clubs is based in Vancouver, now celebrating 11 years in business and serving over 2500 clients.

MARC EMERY FACES EXTRADITION

one of the biggest pot-related stories in Canada is how Vancouver marijuana activist marc emery is facing extradition to the USa, along with two of his employees.

emery, whom the media has dubbed “the Prince of Pot”, has been a driving force behind Canada’s marijuana legalization movement since he opened a

Vancouver store called hemp BC in 1994. Bongs, pipes and other paraphernalia were all banned in Canada at that time, as was information about growing marijuana, including high times magazine.

emery’s store did booming business and spawned imitators across the country, to whom emery offered advice and wholesale merchandise. emery soon added marijuana seeds to his inventory, and they quickly became the most profitable and successful part of his revolutionary operation.

emery’s success got him on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in December 1995, leading to a deluge of media attention. the Vancouver police retaliated with a serious raid one

WANTED MAN: MARC EMERY FACES EXTRADITION TO THE uS - AND POSSIBLE LIFE IMPRISONMENT - FOR SELLING MARIJuANA SEEDS

Page 37: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 37www.NORML.org.nz

month later in January 1996. Officers cleaned out the hemp BC store, seized emery’s large stash of seeds and charged him with multiple paraphernalia and seed related offenses.

emery re-opened his store the next day, and took a year to slowly rebuild his business. By 1997 he had successfully expanded his store to include the Cannabis Cafe, which featured a custom-built vaporizer built into every table. Yet police returned in December 1997, and then

launched multiple raids during 1998, repeatedly seizing all of emery’s stock and eventually forcing the store to shut down entirely.

Despite the financial devastation and legal challenges, emery persisted, switching his marijuana seed business to mail-order only, and focusing his efforts on publishing Cannabis Culture magazine. In 2001, emery founded the BC marijuana Party, and ran candidates across the province.

“I’ve been arrested 10 times since 1994, and jailed on eight of those occasions,” explained emery in a 2002 interview. “I’ve been found guilty of numerous counts of trafficking in marijuana seeds, but the courts here don’t give me anything more than a reasonable fine. Since I stopped selling seeds over the counter, the police seem to have decided I’m not worth the effort, as my seed business hasn’t been raided since 1998. I continue to carry the world’s

largest selection of marijuana seeds available by mail-order.”

Yet the Vancouver police hadn’t given up on emery. Unable to punish him sufficiently under Canadian law, they handed over their files to the American Dea, and assisted the americans in gathering evidence against him. their work paid off in July 2005, when emery and two employees

were arrested for violating american law by sending marijuana seeds to customers in the US.

In a statement following emery’s arrest, Dea head Karen tandy wrote that emery’s bust was “not only a significant blow not only to the marijuana trafficking trade in the US and Canada, but also the marijuana legalization movement.” She added that “emery and his organization had been designated as one of the attorney General’s most wanted international drug trafficking organizational targets - one of only 46 in the world and the only one from Canada.”

acknowledging that emery donated most of his profits to the legalization movement, tandy concluded that “hundreds of thousands of dollars of emery’s illicit profits are known to have been channeled to marijuana legalization groups active in the United States and Canada. Drug legalization lobbyists now have one less pot of money to rely on.”

VANCOuVER J DAY

Page 38: Norml News Spring 2008

38 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Interestingly, emery paid income tax on all of his income generated from his seed business, totalling more than $500,000 in taxes between 1999 to 2005. he always listed “marijuana seed vendor” as his occupation.

over the past three years emery and his two employees have been free on bail while engaged in a lengthy extradition process. their extradition hearing is now scheduled for February 2009. It is very rare for such extradition requests to be denied, and most legal observers predict that emery will eventually be extradited and face decades in an american prison.

Despite facing extradition and no longer able to sell marijuana seeds, emery has thrived. he has been interviewed and covered in a number of prominent venues, including rolling Stone magazine, national Geographic and a feature documentary by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation which has been repeatedly shown on Canadian tV.

also, emery’s already large BC marijuana Party store has recently expanded upwards, taking over the two floors above his storefront to increase the

retail space and also create a large “Vapor Lounge” that includes a pool table, foosball, and many vaporizers for customer use. emery’s also taken over a grocery store across the street, renaming it to the 420 Convenience Store.

WELCOME TO VANSTERDAM

ten blocks down the street from emery’s store, the Vancouver Seed Bank is celebrating two years of operation. as one of the founders, I am proud that our store not only sells hundreds of varieties of marijuana seeds, but also distributes seeds for other banned and controversial plants, including peyote, tobacco, opium poppies and Peruvian coca. We ship marijuana seeds anywhere in the world, except for the USa.

next door to our Seed Bank we are about to open a medical Cannabis Dispensary, providing another outlet for marijuana-using patients to get their medicine. our Seed Bank location also includes an outdoor garden and indoor

lounge where guests can smoke marijuana or use a vaporizer. Like other such locations, ours is strictly “bring your own bud.”

there was a time when anyone could buy marijuana over the counter in Vancouver. For seven wonderful months during 2004, a cafe called Da Kine openly sold marijuana to their customers from their storefront on Commercial Drive. Vancouver Police raided the cafe after it had received extensive media attention, and founder Carol Gwilt spent six months behind bars after being convicted for trafficking.

A SWING TO THE RIGHT

2004 was the year that Canada seemed on the verge of decriminalization. the governing Liberal party had renewed their decades-old promise to eliminate jail as a penalty for personal pot possession, and had written

up legislation to introduce substantial fines as the new penalty, while also increasing sentences for pot trafficking and cultivation. Yet even this

small step sideways never occurred, as the Liberals continued to delay their decrim promise as they had for decades, and then lost power in the 2004 federal election.

the right-wing Conservative party won a minority government, and immediately stopped any discussion of decriminalization, instead moving aggressively to adopt a US-style drug war.

the Conservatives have recently introduced legislation which includes mandatory minimum sentences for a wide variety of “drug crimes”, including six months in jail for growing even a single marijuana plant. Under the proposed new law, running a compassion club would net a two-year minimum sentence, with no room for

discretion by the judge.this new drug law has not

yet been passed, and has been criticized by all the parties in opposition to the government. Yet the Conservatives have already successfully passed a new law against “drugged driving”, which empowers police to demand samples of bodily fluids from drivers suspected of being impaired by illegal drugs. a positive test result could earn a $1000 fine and a suspended driving license.

earlier this year, the Conservatives launched a multi-million dollar anti-drug advertising campaign, in an attempt to frighten Canadians into supporting their new strict laws. Yet public sentiment has been turning against the drug war, with recent polls showing more than half of Canadians support complete legalization of marijuana, while medicinal marijuana has an approval rating over 90%.

Canada is a small nation of only 30 million people, bordering against the world’s most powerful military machine. Perhaps if Canada succeeds in ending the drug war in our country, we will be able to set a good example for our neighbours to the south.

Canadians have often helped out our american cousins when their own government has oppressed them. the underground railroad of escaped american slaves ended in freedom in Canada. During the Vietnam war, Canada accepted draft dodgers and others fleeing the american war machine. now perhaps Canada can help to lead america out of the drug war, and into an era of peace and pot. If Canada fails, the world will be a darker place.

> Marc Emery: www.CannabisCulture.com

> Vancouver Seed Bank: www.VancouverSeedBank.ca

> Dana Larsen is former editor of Cannabis Culture magazine.

Cannabis

Canada!

BONG HITS AT A VANCOuVER CANNABIS RALLY

Page 39: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 39www.NORML.org.nz

Page 40: Norml News Spring 2008

40 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

POT culture

AuCKLAND’S CANNA CuP moved to a new location this year - a surprisingly lush and completely hidden inner city oasis with a dancefloor, waterfalls, mirror balls, and ganja galore - located downwind from the cop shop.One hundred carefully selected judges had their work cut out evaluating the 14 entries. Points were awarded for looks, smell, taste and effect. Many agreed the outdoor entries were particularly good this year. Not only was the defending 3x indoor champ Te Kakariki back as an outdoor (grown in a grey lynn backyard), there were eight other kick-ass strains, including the defending champ Coronaki Afi. In a close

40 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

the 5th annual auckland

cannabis cup

OUTDOOR CHAMP!

TE KAKARIKI2008 Outdoor champ

by Maori Wowie

THE CUPS and some of the 14 entries

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CHRIS FOWLIE

Page 41: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 41www.NORML.org.nz

TURTLE by Hempy Boy, with a bowl of cup regulation pre-rolled joints (PRJ’s)

MOTHER’S FINEST by F.A.B.

AK47 the 2008 Indoor champ (bottom) with its outdoor sister (top), both from Te Rohe Potae

Page 42: Norml News Spring 2008

42 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz42 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

battle Te Kakariki eventually came out the winner - taking home a cup 4 years in a row! And in a nice twist, the indoor cup was taken out by the boys from Te Rohe Potae, who had previously tried to win the outdoor cup. This year they submitted an indoor AK47 and went home the winner. Nice!

Official Results2008 INDOOR CUP1st: AK47 from Te Rohe Potae2nd: Mother’s Finest by F.A.B.3rd: Bang! by Liberty

2008 OUTDOOR CUP1st: Te Kakariki by Maori Wowie2nd: Turtle by Hempy boy3rd: Mountain Rhino by Ganja Guru

MORE PHOTOS of cup entries are on pages 4, 6 & 12-17, plus we’ll have plenty more in the next issue.

aucklandcannabis

cup

CORONAKI AFI by Flying High

OUTDOOR RHINO by Lee

SERIOUS JUDGING

Page 43: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 43www.NORML.org.nz

Gro potting mix is a peat based organic mix and is fundamentally different to other bark based potting mixes.

Peat is produced by nature and is plentiful in NZ. Peat has an even consistency and great air and water retention characteristics that promote vigorous root growth.

Gro potting mix contains neem cake which is also an organic fertilizer as well as a natural pesticide. Neem is a natural wonder!!!

Gro potting mix contains lime and a wetting agent to ensure consistent pH and moisture levels throughout the medium, even over extended periods.

Now available in 50 litre bulk packs and 30 litre carry bags. Only at the best Gro shops.

Gro potting mix makes growing healthy plants easy.

Gro potting mix contains perlite and vermiculite to help maintain soil structure even after prolonged periods of heavy watering.

Gro potting mix can also be used as a soil-less medium in hydroponic gardens. The organic nutrients and bacteria already present in Gro will not compound with your favourite fertilizers to burn your precious plants.

Organic gardeners now have a medium, which can be used as a base for other organic additives. Hydro-organic cultivation has the potential to grow vigorous, big crops while retaining delicious, full organic flavours and aromas. In reticulation systems the pump filters will need to be cleaned more frequently.

ADVERTISEMENT

Page 44: Norml News Spring 2008

44 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

BUSH DOCTOR

Isn’t that what all growers aim for? there are certain products which will

stimulate plants to do exactly that. It is as simple as adding a few drops of this or that to radically alter growth characteristics and increase yields.

these Plant Growth regulators (PGr’s) are marketed under various brand names, which I won’t mention here. you’ll recognize these products by their enticing packaging and big, fat price tags. they are expensive because they allow commercial growers to vastly increase their yields & profitability. Big time!

When I was in Australia recently on a research mission, I was disappointed to not be able to find any indoor ganja which had not been thoroughly dosed with PGR’s. It all looked good - heavy nuggets that turned into mini mountains of mull. Unfortunately, those fat, heavy buds tasted like watered down versions of what they should be. that is because PGr’s inhibit trichome development, which is clearly visible when you see a treated

and an untreated bud side by side. much less crystals.

the Bush Doctor has done lots of experiments with PGr’s since they first appeared here a few years ago. Initially it was mind blowing to go from growing sausage sized buds to growing football sized buds. It became a challenge to stay ahead of botrytis though, especia l ly with strains that are genetically predisposed to growing tight buds anyway such as many of the afghani’s and berries.

the lesser yielding, but generally more flavorsome strains such as Black Domina, Jack herer, Strawberry Cough etc can be more manageable when given PGr’s. these strains often contain other sativa genetic traits like longer internodal spaces, strong complex flavors and a relatively psychoactive stoning. PGr’s will make them grow shorter, heavier & denser but they will lose flavor and quality of high.

Very low doses can be useful, however, for inhibiting revegetative growth due to excessive temperature or lights being too close. For those growing for money, PGr’s more than pay for themselves no matter how expensive they are. But for those growing for pleasure and to grow the nicest pot they can, stay well

away! there are other, less detrimental, ways of increasing yields.

Carbon dioxide is very under-utilized amongst growers in nZ. When used correct ly, Co² can increase yields by up to 20%. Plants will grow faster, have thicker stems and larger leaves. however, high humidity is associated with Co² r ich air, which wil l have adverse effects on swelling buds.

Growers can introduce Co² into the grow room a day or two before switching the lamps from 18/6 to 12/12, and run it for about 25 days, until all leaf growth has stopped and the bud sites are swelling. the grow room temperature can be allowed to rise to 26ºC - 30ºC. Growth is phenomenal during this phase and can be clearly measured daily. then, when the increased amount of bud sites have established themselves and are starting to thicken, switch off the Co² and increase the airflow to reduce the temperature back down to 18ºC - 24ºC. By then the Co² has done its job of producing a fast growing, robust plant capable of supporting heavy buds, and the room is set to produce a bumper crop.

anyway, that’s all from the Bush Doc for now. Next time I’ll write about the digital revolution in lighting technology among other things. Grow safe!

Big, fat, heavy buds!

YOD

AxB

B (se

eded

)

YODAMASTA

YODA ORANGE SKUNK

Page 45: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 45www.NORML.org.nz

Page 46: Norml News Spring 2008

46 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

Serious about Hemp?Join the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association Inc.$100 full membership or $20 supporter. Full membership includes 2 annual copies of the Journal of the International hemp association - a must read for hemp industrialists. Join the NZhIA today, and help us to represent the NZ hemp industry. If you would like to receive a membership application form, Send your contact details to the address below.

name: Phone:address: town:

NZHIA, PO Box 38392 Howick, Auckland. Fax 09 273 7396

’S GUIDE TO

SAfer CANNABIS USEAlthough the vast majority of people who use cannabis suffer no harm, some people do experience problems. Ensure that your cannabis use does not impair your health, family, employment and education, and try to have periods of reducing use or not consuming cannabis.Harm reduction:> Remember that “Less is More” - the less you use, the less you will need, and the more high you will get. > NORML recommends consuming organic cannabis if possible.> Heavy long term cannabis use may lead to some respiratory damage. Deep tokes and long breath duration are more harmful to the lungs. Take it easy!> Water pipes and bongs help cool the smoke, filter solids, and absorb the most harmful tars in the water. Bongs can make the smoke very smooth, so avoid inhaling too deeply.

Replace bong water each time and regularly sterilise your pipe or bong (eg using meths, alcohol or denture cleaning tablets).> If you’re into spotting, try using a lower temperature. Red hot is too hot! Cooler knives will give you a much better taste and smoother hit with no coughing.> Try other ways of ingesting cannabis, such as eating or drinking it, or using a vaporiser to heat the herb and release THC without combustion.> When eating cannabis preparations, start with a small piece and wait an hour before increasing the

amount, if desired. The effects of edible cannabis products may be stronger than smoked cannabis.Health warnings:> Cannabis is best avoided by pregnant and breast-feeding women.> Meningitis and other diseases can be transmitted through saliva, so don’t share spit on joints or pipes. Try using your hands like a chillum to hold the joint.> People with a history of severe mental illness should reduce any cannabis use to a level agreed with their clinician, or avoid cannabis altogether.

> People on digitalis or other heart medications should consult their doctors before using cannabis.> Never consume cannabis that appears artificially coloured, as

it may have been sprayed with a blue toxic poison by the Police. If cannabis has a chemical taste or smell it may contain residue of fertilisers or pesticides. Do not use any cannabis that has mould or fungus on it as these can be very harmful if inhaled.> Be cautious about mixing drugs, as the effect of combining substances is more unpredictable and can increase health risks. Especially use caution when mixing cannabis with depressants such as alcohol as it can make you more out of it than you intended.> Mixing cannabis with tobacco will cause more smoke damage to your lungs, and may make you become nicotine dependent.

> Smoking cannabis as a way of dealing with unpleasant feelings or emotions can sometimes intensify these feelings, or stop you sorting out the problem. If you experience anxiety or paranoia prior to using cannabis it may be made worse. Avoid using cannabis to deal with bad trips, as this can often intensify the experience.> While no-one has ever died from using cannabis, drug prohibition creates crime and violence. Try to stay safe. > People will use cannabis regardless of what the law says. This guide is about helping people make informed choices.

Adults Only. Cannabis consumption is for adults only. It is irresponsible to provide cannabis to children. Many things and activities are suitable for young people, but others - including drugs - absolutely are not.

Safe Driving. The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor vehicle or other heavy machinery while impaired by cannabis, nor (like other responsible citizens) impaired by any other substance or condition, including prescription medicines or fatigue.

NORML’s Principles of Responsible Marijuana Use

Set and Setting. The responsible cannabis user will carefully consider his/her mind-set and physical setting, and regulate use accordingly.

resist Abuse. Use of cannabis, to the extent that it impairs health, personal development or achievement, is abuse, to be resisted by responsible cannabis users.

respect the rights of Others. The responsible cannabis user does not violate the rights of others, observes accepted standards of courtesy, and respects the preferences of those who wish to avoid cannabis.

KNOW YOUR

RIGHTS!

Page 47: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 47www.NORML.org.nz

PoLICe QueSTIoNING· You have the right to remain silent – including not making a statement or answering ques-tions - but you must give your correct name and address and in some cases date of birth. Talk to a lawyer before saying anything else.· If the Police want you to go with them, ask if you’ve been arrested. · You have the right to talk to your own or a free lawyer on the Bill of rights list if you’re being questioning about an offence.· If you’re under 17 you have the right to have a supportive adult of your choice with you at the police station.

SeArCHeS· always ask why you are being searched. If you don’t want to be searched you must say so. Silence is consent!· the police can only search you, your bag or car if you agree; or they arrest you; or they have a search warrant; or they have reasonable grounds to think you have drugs, or an offensive weapon. · the police can search your home if: you agree; or they have a search warrant; or they have reasonable grounds to think it contains drugs. You are entitled to witness a search but not to obstruct police.· If you are female usually only a policewoman can search you.

ArreSTS, DeTAINmeNT AND CHArGeS· always ask if you’re being arrested, detained or charged and why.· Don’t run away or resist arrest.· ask to make a phone call and phone someone you trust.· You don’t have to answer any questions or make a statement. You have the right to talk to a free lawyer. tell police you want to talk to one on the Bill of rights list before talking to them. · You have the right to get bail unless there is a good reason for holding you or you have been charged with a very serious offence.

GoING To CourT· First appearance: you may enter “no plea”, and in the time until your next appearance, get a copy of your police file and seek legal advice. ask for “full disclosure” of all the evidence against you. Check with the court registrar if you can get legal aid or see the duty solicitor at court.· If this is your first time being charged, you may be eligible for the police diversion scheme. ask your lawyer or the police’s duty sergeant for more information. · otherwise, you can plead Guilty and accept whatever punishment is given to you, or plead Not Guilty and fight the charges. · If you plead Not Guilty you may have the chance to plea bargain at a pre-trial “status hearing”. try to strike a deal that gets the charges dropped, or negotiate a reduced sentence.· Preparing your defence: write everything down in as much de-tail as possible. Go through the police evidence and identify any discrepancies or errors. Search the internet, local law libraries and courts.govt.nz to get copies of relevant cases.

rememBer· always stay calm and don’t get smart.· try to get all of the police officer’s names, numbers and police stations.· try to get someone to witness what the police do.· If the police breach your rights tell your lawyer/a duty solicitor or make a police complaint later, rather than argue at the time.

PoLICe ComPLAINTS· Independent Police Conduct authority 0800 503 728; Youth-Law, a lawyer or normL. Write down everything that happened while you remember. Get photos of any injuries and see a doctor.

more INFoVisit your local community law centre or see www.norml.org.nz/rights or www.youthlaw.co.nz

KNOW YOUR

RIGHTS!

LAWYERS who have experience defending cannabis charges (not endorsed or guaranteed by NORML). Whangarei: David Sayes 09 4382154; Nick Leader 09 4384039 Auckland: Peter Winter 09 3797658; Graeme Minchin 025 2122704; Johnnie Kovacevich 09 3093364 or 021 653933; Matt Goodwin 09 3750052 or 0274-999433, Rob Weir 09 3099636; Colin Amery 09 2665910; Marie Dyhrberg 09 3604550; Adam Couchman 09 3733592; Charl Hirschfeld 09 3076997; Maria Pecotic 09 5227399; Owen Harold 09 6304969; Rodney Harrison 09 3034157 Hamilton: Roger Layborne 07 8396288; Emily Coupland 07 8381069 Rotorua: Simon Lance 07 3460796 Palmerston North: Peter Coles 06 3581075 Wairarapa: Peter Broad 021 3264547 or 06-3798049 Wellington: Michael Appleby 0274 403363; Chris Tennet 021 626878 or 04 4711952; Christchurch: David Ruth 03 3745486 Timaru: Tony Shaw 03 6886056 Invercargill: John Pringle 03 2144069 YouthLaw: free legal advice for people under 25 - ph 09 3096967 or see www.youthlaw.co.nz Community Law Centres offer free advice and discounted representation for people of limited means. See www.communitylaw.org.nz for listings Legal Services Agency (legal aid): see www.lsa.govt.nz or ph 0800 600 090

for civil rights advice & support, call us on

09 302 5255or in the South Island:

021 399 822or see our website:

www.norml.org.nz/rightsplease call weekday daytime only. priority to norml members

BUSTLINE

more information:www.norml.org.nz/rights www.norml.org.nz/forum4www.youthlaw.co.nz www.courtsofnz.govt.nz

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 47

KUHUNGUNU RONGOAthese plants were taken by the police!

Page 48: Norml News Spring 2008

48 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

WHY LEGALISE?• Prohibiting drugs doesn’t work, and causes far more harm than the use of drugs themselves. • New Zealand has the world’s highest cannabis arrest rate, and also one of the highest rates of use in the world.• Cannabis law reform overseas has not been associated with increased use. • A strictly-enforced legal age of purchase would most effectively limit juvenile access to cannabis.• Prohibition glamourises drugs and removes control over how and to whom it is sold. • Prohibition creates a lucrative black market. It breeds violence and corruption and supports the growth of organised crime.• Prohibition erodes respect for the police and the law, and drug crimes divert police from crimes that matter.• Drug law hypocrisy undermines effective drug education efforts.• Search and seizure laws trample over everyone’s rights and freedoms.• Seriously-ill patients are denied the benefits of medical marijuana.• Drug laws should be based on evidence, not moral judgements. • Ending prohibition would save more than $50 million per year, while sales taxes could fund more drug education, research and treatment.

LEGALISE CANNABIS!

you can helplaw reform

Don’t wait for someone else to do it, here are

some things you can do, right now, by yourself or

with your mates.

> 10 MINUTESEmail your MP the format is

firstname.lastname@parliament.

govt.nz or see www.norml.org.

nz/emailMPEnrol to Vote! Ph 0800 ENROL

NOW, see www.elections.org.nz

or your local post office

Donate online to our account

12-3057-0594667-00

Join NORML on opposite page

Support the Canna-Bus join the ‘Friends of the Bus’

by donating $5 per week to the bus account 12-3057-

054667-03Write a letter to the editor

Learn your rights see page 47

Label your plants ‘personal’ or ‘medical’.

> 1 HOUR OR LESSRaise your voice learn how to hold your own in an

argument at www.norml.org.nz/

Visit your MP on any Saturday

Vote this election read our comments opposite

Take part in the Law Commission’s review of the

Misuse of Drugs Act - see www.lawcom.govt.nz

Medical users - talk with your doctor and get their

supportDistribute Norml News around your town or networks

Get informed at www.norml.org.nz - read over 55,000

forum posts from 6000 online members.

> 1 DAY OR MOREOrganise an event like a J Day concert, demonstration,

public talk, petition, movie showing or social evening

Grow hemp! Apply for a permit from MedSafe

Apply for a medical permit. Get the backing of your

doctor then write to the Minister of Health

Form a local anti-prohibition group and get active in

your area

VOTE !enrol at any post office

or see www.elections.org.nz

w w w. n o r m l . o r g . n z / f o r u m sdiscuss

your ideas

48 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

Page 49: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 49www.NORML.org.nz

Don’t miss out on the next issue - get a NOrML News subscription with every membership!

Join before October 1 and go in the draw for a VAPOrITe Vaporiser from The Hempstore, worth $199!Post the form below with your payment. You’ll get the next four issues of Norml News, an info pack, stickers and a copy of Cannabis Culture magazine!

Entries close 1/10/08. Thanks to The Hempstore.

250 x 70mm. $1 each.

Spot StickerS >

New Zealand Green by Redmer Yska $20Marijuana facts by Dave Currie $15

< BookS

We Smoked HereLegalise CannabisNot Cool In School 30mm10 for $1

calendarS 2009 - due in stores October 2008. 2008 (pictured) $7 each or 2 for $10 by mail order. 1994 to 2006: $5 each, or 3 for $10 (2004 & 07 sold out)

Bumper StickerS >

NOrML New Zealand Inc. PO Box 3307 Auckland

Phone: 09 [email protected]

clothing ,With ‘Freedom is NORML’ logo on front & www.norml.org.nz on back. Choose black or white.Classic Mens T shirt $30Mens Singlet $30Women’s fitted T shirt $40Women’s fitted tank top $35

I am joining for the first time or renewing my membership

Annual fee: $50 sustaining $20 regular $10 unwaged

Campaign donation $ ________ (specific project? ____________ )

I’ll make a donation into NORML’s account (12-3057-0594667-00) Ref: _______

AND/Or send me this stuff from the Norml Shop:

NZ Green Calendars (year/s: ____ ) * Add $5 tube postage $ ___

NORML clothing: item: _______ size ______ colour: ______ $ ___

‘legalise’, ‘we smoked here’, ‘NCIS’ stickers 10 for $1: $ ___

Bumper stickers $1 each (design: ______________) $___

Norml News back issues $1 each $ ___ (Subject to availability)

New Zealand Green book $20 each $ ___

Marijuana: the facts & case for legalisation book $15 each $___

POSTAGE (select one): stickers only: 50c books & mags: $1.50 calendars or clothing: $5

TOTAL PAYMeNT eNCLOSeD: $__________ (cash, cheque or postage stamps)

NAME: ________________________________________________________

POSTAL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________

CITY / TOWN: _____________________________ POSTCODE: ___________

PHONE: ______________________MOBILE: ________________________

E-MAIL: ________________________________________________________

OCCUPATION / SKILLS: _________________________________________

I CAN HELP WITH: The CannaBus Norml News

Letter writing Local networking Distributing stuff

Medical cannabis Other (please specify): ___________________

NOTES/COMMENTS: _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________POST THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER TO: “NORML NZ INC.” PO BOX 3307, AUCKLAND 1015 NEW ZEALAND

OFFICE USE: WIN/SPR 2008 DATE REC: PD: SNT: ENT:

MEM#: BY:

YeS! I want to join the NOrML freedom movement!

JOIN& WIN A VAPORITE VAPORISER!

order Formtear out or copy page>

Page 50: Norml News Spring 2008

50 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN COMPARE? email high resolution digi pics to [email protected] or post a CD to NORML News, PO Box 3307 Auckland NZ. Deadline for bud of the year on the 2009 Calendar is by the end of September.

“THESE SKUNK#1 PLANTS were grown using a growth cycle in the middle of the flowering cycle! Ten plants were

flowered from 100mm cuttings for 4 weeks then a 24 hour vege light for 4 to 5 days with one growzilla feed, then back to 12/12 flowering for 6 to 7 weeks. they produced an average of 80g per plant, under a 600w Philips hPS lamp supplemented with 1000ppm Co2 on 24/7. the nutrients were Budzilla and Growzilla, with Canadian Xpress regen a root /Bio balance / Wilt Guard / earthjuce Catalyst and Superthrive at 4 drops per litre. I have done this with headmaster as well and it rocks!” Paul, Christchurch

SHOW YOUR GROW

MASTAYODA right: Yoda1; below: Yoda x BB; the room.

FIRST TIME

GROWER

- Ben (by email)

50 NORML NeWS Spring 2008

Page 51: Norml News Spring 2008

Spring 2008 NORML NeWS 51www.NORML.org.nz

Page 52: Norml News Spring 2008

52 NORML NeWS Spring 2008 www.NORML.org.nz