Norml News Summer 2006

NEW ZEALAND’S FREE MARIJUANA MAGAZINE ISSUE 10.1 10.1 SUMMER SUMMER 2006 2006 ISSUE

WWW.NORML.ORG. WWW.NORML.ORG.

The economics of prohibition NORML’s Strategic Plan Cannabis and Cancer Medical Marijuana research Marijuana medicine now available in the UK

Half the adult population and 80 percent of 21-year-olds are criminalised by prohibition. We say it’s time to:

“Respect the Majority!”

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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N O R M L N e W S SUMMER 2006

NORML NeWS

PUBLISHED BY NORML NZ INC.

Summer ’06 VO OLL..1 10 0..1 1 V

PO Box 3307, Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand Phone: 09 302-5255 Fax: 09 303-1309 Email: info@norml.org.nz Website: www.norml.org.nz 50,000 FREE COPIES PRINTED DECEMBER 2005 editor & design: Chris Fowlie contributors: Harry Cording, Nandor

Tanczos, Adrian Picot, Will de Cleene, Duncan Eddy, Pierre Paquay, webmaster Dr Stuart Young, subscriber administrator Alannagh Donegan. Photos

by Chris, Rob C, McFinn, and various anonymous contributors.

CONTENTS

Contributions are welcome - send us your letters, photos, articles, ideas, cartoons, comments, grow tips, recipes... Include a SAE if you would like your contribution returned.

Editorial & NZ News Coroner calls for a War on Drugs by Chris Fowlie NORML Conference adopts new Strategic Plan Dread in the House by Nandor Tanczos How can I help end prohibition? By Duncan Eddy International News by Harry Cording Medical Marijuana News Show Your Grow Medical Marijuana Research The economics of prohibition by Adrian Picot Bush Doctor How things could be better, by Pierre Paquay Know your rights or no rights Drugs, driving & testing by Chris Fowlie 2005 Cannabis Cup results NORML Shop & membership form Join our campaign!

Thanks to: our advertisers, and www.- drugpolicycentral.org for hosting NORML’s website.

Printer: Webstar on 57 gsm glossart advertising: Ph 09 309 8653 or email news@norml.org.nz distribution: Mailed free to NORML members (join on p29) and available while stocks last at selected outlets including: WHANGAREI Pied Piper SILVERDALE Northern Hydroponics AUCKLAND The Hempstore, Switched On Gardener, Pipe Dreams, Now & Then, Easy Grow, Sharkies, Brazil, Verona, Real Groovy, 4:20 Easy, Professional Hydro PUKEKOHE Stones Bones & Harmony PAPAKURA Revenge Records HAMILTON Frankton Pipe Shop, Switched On Gardener THAMES Boot’s N All, Crystal Ball Clinic COROMANDEL Boca WHANGAMATA Garuda TAURANGA Curiosity, U Grow MT MAUNGANUI Antipodes ROTORUA Skingraft NAPIER Earthsong TAUPO Tandy’s NEW PLYMOUTH Guru Gardener, Skin Design Tattoo, Trick or Treat WANGANUI Discount Smoke Shop PALMERSTON NORTH Lotz of Pots WELLINGTON Cosmic Corner, San Jewellery, Comrades, Lo Cost Records (Petone) Switched On Gardener (Upper Hutt) NELSON Artery, Gizmo’s, Switched On Gardener, Zippys MOTUEKA Community Action TAKAKA Invisible BLENHEIM Boots ‘n’ All RANGIORA Rock Shop GREYMOUTH Planet Funk CHRISTCHURCH Cosmic Corner, Hydrostore, Avon Backpackers, Alice in Videoland, C-1 Espresso, Central Surf, Globe Cafe, Java Coffee House, Radar Records, Wyrd QUEENSTOWN Play It Again DUNEDIN Arc Cafe, Cheapskates, Community Law Centre, Cosmic Corner, Croque O Dile Cafe, DIVO, Funk That!, Governors, Hemphatic, Mazagran, Modaks, Outre, Tangente, The Percolator, Radio One, Records Records, Sanctuary INVERCARGILL Play It Again, Large As Life Tattoos.

Additional copies are available for distribution. Printing 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 ‘as is’, for your information only, 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 without profit or payment for “fair use” non-profit research, review, education and information purposes, in accordance with the New Zealand Copyright Act. NORML News and our 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

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The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML NZ Inc) is a non-profit organisation that has campaigned to end marijuana prohibition since 1979. NORML supports 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 call for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to look at how best to 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 • give advice and support to victims of prohibition

Special thanks to: SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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editorial

Chris enjoying some Kaitaia Fire

New government means more of the same failed drug policy Rather than despairing the lack of progress, the coalition agreement to not change the law should be taken as a compliment to how effective our campaigns have been and how close we have come to changing the law.

Cannabis has figured prominently in the last four elections.

The ALCP ran a huge campaign in 1999, the Greens were elected with the cannabis community’s support in 1999 and then got the inquiry started, and we came so close to changing the law in 2002 that the government agreed to not change the law as price for United Future’s support.

In 2005, central to United Future’s support agreement with Labour is that the government “will not support any legislative initiatives to decriminalise recreational use of cannabis”.

new normL executive

NORML’s annual conference (see page 8) included the AGM to elect the Board of Directors. Chris Fowlie remains president, with Paula Lambert (secretary) and Adrian Picot (treasurer).

We decided the most effective way to develop our activist and branch network was to have Regional Coordinators whose main task would be to do just that. Phil Saxby is the lower North Island coordinator, Paula is taking on the South Island until a permanent coordinator is found, while the Mid North Island and Auckland/North coordinator’s roles remain vacant.

Perhaps you are the right person for the job? Do you have a burning desire to change this law? Can you get jobs done and better still, inspire other people to get jobs done? Even if you are unable to take on a major role, there are many other things that you can do to help - see page 11 for some ideas.

Serious about Hemp?

Join the New Zealand Hemp Industries Assoc Inc.

$100 membership, includes 2 annual copies of the Journal of the International Hemp Assoc. 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, please fill out and return this form: Name ……………………………………………………………

Address…………………………………..………………………

Email …………………………………….………………………

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This seems to open the way for progress on medical use, and rightly so. Even United Future concede there is a case for allowing compassionate use by sick or terminally ill people.

But nothing will happen until politicians think it is safe for them to support reform - and that means generating visible

public support. NORML recently held our annual conference (see p.8) to discuss our new strategic plan. We hope you’ll get involved - it’s going to be a long fight, but we are many and we are right.

CANNABUS GETS A PAiNTJOB

NORML’s CannaBus has been painted and is nearing completion. A big thanks to everyone who has helped, especially the two fine gentlemen below, Brodie and Paul, who have put in a lot of hours over winter doing all the crap jobs. Once we get a warrant (!) we’ll hit the road soon. We still need help with the signwriting, and we need to pay for the bus! (donations, anyone?) We’re also looking for motivated and trustworthy crew to help on tour, and places and events to go to! We believe the NORML CannaBus will have a huge impact on our campaign and our organisation, with a key objective of the bus tours to join up new members and promote and assist the formation of new branches across the country. Please contact us if you are keen to be involved or can help in any way.

feijoa

Death penalty shows barbaric side of the “War on Drugs” While many of us were feeling morally superior to Singapore as Nguyen Tuong Van was hanged, remember that New Zealand is not so hot on sane drug laws either.

The use of the death penalty - which has outraged the public and been condemned by prime nary people but some attaining ministers on both sides of the widespread notoriety through Tasman - is a brutal extension sensational media coverage. of the same law we have here. Nguyen Van, Schapelle Corby Politicians and media have been and the “celebrity drug bust” quick to denounce the death have confirmed what ordinary penalty - and rightly so - but New Zealanders already knew they have ignored the fact that - that drug use is commonplace.

New Zealand also uses force to Many role models and upstandstop people using drugs. New ing members of the community Zealand and Singapore both are involved. Using marijuana is enforce a prohibitionist “War on now a normal activity, with 80 Drugs”. They hang people, we percent of 21-year-olds having lock them up, but the objective tried it. Most enjoy it and do not is the same. suffer any ill effects.

Aussie PM John Howard tried The question many New Zeato deflect attention from the law, landers will be asking is, why is when he said that “I hope the it that our Government looks tostrongest message that comes wards Indonesia, Singapore and out of this... is a message to the the United States for its cannabis young of Australia - don’t have policy, and not towards Europe, anything to do with drugs”.

Canada or several Australian But drugs did not kill Nguyen states?

Van - prohibition did.

“De-prioritising” cannaThe New Zealand Herald, in bis an editorial titled “Executions The good news is that in the abhorrent and futile” (2/12/05), absence of law reform, Police said that Singapore’s use of the are arresting fewer people on death penalty was an admission marijuana charges, according to “it has no faith in the ability of official crime statistics for the its citizens, or its institutional 2004-2005 fiscal year. This conframework, to cope with illegal tinues a 3-year trend. The number drugs.” of marijuana offences dropped But the same could be said almost 20 percent from 18,271 about drug prohibition in New to 14,654. However marijuana Zealand. charges still make up 80 per cent The penalties are lower than of all drug arrests. And despite in South East Asia, but New the significant reduction, New Zealand still arrests more peo- Zealand still retains its position ple on cannabis charges per as the top marijuana-arresting nahead of population than any tion on earth, with 358 arrests per other country. There are sto- year per 100,000 population. ries behind every one of these busts, mostly involving ordi-

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RESEARCH news

Coroner’s support for War on Drugs wrong, say health professionals

BY CHRIS FOWLIE

A coroner’s call to escalate the “War on Drugs” received a lot of media coverage, but was condemned by health professionals including the Drug Foundation and the Public Health Association.

In calling for a return to “just say no” education, Wellington coroner Garry Evans had ignored best practice and a wealth of international evidence in his attack on the current policy of harm minimisation, said the Drug Foundation.

“It sounds really sensible to take a tough approach ... but what that ignores is the reality of human nature,” said New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell. “Human beings have been finding ways of altering their state of mind for thousands of years. In spite all of that law enforcement people are still using drugs.”

“The drug-war approach has seen drug use rise significantly for 20 years in the US, while it locks away more citizens than any other developed nation. New Zealand per capita sits second in that statistic; we need policies that ensure we at least rise no higher.”

Mr Bell also questioned whether the coro-

ner’s recommendations can be supported by his findings into the deaths of six young people.

“Mr Evans has drawn a very long bow by recommending a major overhaul of New Zealand’s drug policy and education based on the findings of six tragic deaths from gas inhaling. Indeed, his recommendation for a national drug education campaign ignores all the evidence about how to most effectively deal with inhalant abuse, which actually warns against publicising the issue because it can lead to increased inhalant abuse.”

Bugger the evidence though, coroner Evans says the current official policy of harm minimisation, which accepts that people will take drugs and tries to make it safer, just sends the wrong message.

Evans cited unpublished research from Prof Richard Beasley of Wellington’s Medical Research Institute, who has been trying to see if smoking cannabis causes lung cancer. The study is incomplete and has not been peer reviewed, but Beasley speculated that because Maori have higher rates of lung cancer than non-Maori, and because Maori smoke cannabis at a higher

Media in rehab for drug addiction

by Our Special Correspondent

The nation’s leading news source, Major Media, has voluntarily entered a rehabilitation centre for addiction to sensational stories about P.

Ending weeks of speculation, Media announced it was undergoing voluntary treatment for an addiction which it described as “out of control.”

In this exclusive interview, Media tells how its occasional experimentation turned into an all-consuming obsession.

“I started doing a quarter-page P story maybe once a week, usually on weekends, but before I knew it I was doing double-page spreads every couple of days.

“You have to understand - the stories were a rush. Violence, degradation, broken families, teenage prostitutes, huge profits, indignant politicians, toughtalking cops - it’s all there, wrapped up in the most intoxicating package. And all you have to do is - just do it. It makes 6

N O R M L N e W S SUMMER 2006

you feel like a god.”

As Media became more obsessed with P stories, it found that other drug stories didn’t generate a buzz any more.

“Reefer madness stories just didn’t do it for me like they used to. Nine-yearolds running tinnie houses - who cares?

“At one time, I’d do a good tinnie house story and my drug-war hysteria cravings were satisfied for a while. But P stories - you just can’t get enough of them.”

Media’s insatiable craving for P stories even led it to re-use the most sensational stories with only minor changes, repackaging them as new developments in the P saga. Every violent crime that came along, I’d turn it into a P story.”

rate, that cannabis could be the cause.

This was widely reported in the media as evidence that cannabis may cause cancer.

But official statistics show Maori smoke cannabis at only a slightly higher rate: 20% are current users, compared to 18% of the total sample.

In his paper, Beasley cited old research

by Donald Tashkin of the USA, whose research into lung damage is often cited by drug prohibitionists. Beasley was, however, unaware of more recent research by Tashkin, which was reported in the Winter 2005 issue of Norml News. Marijuana smokers were found to have a lower rate of lung cancer than even nonsmokers. Tashkin found that marijuana is less carcinogenic than tobacco smoke and may even have some anticancer properties.

Robert Melamede, chair of biology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, recently published a review of studies in the Oct. 17 issue of Harm Reduction Journal. He found that although cannabis smoke and tobacco smoke are chemically very similar, the cancer-promoting effects of smoke are increased by nicotine, while they are reduced by THC. Anti-drug zealots Pauline Gardiner and Trevor Grice rallied round in support of Evans. Gardiner - who once said that “we’d be better off if all dope-smokers died, because then the state wouldn’t have to support them” - was proposed by Grice to be NZ’s first “drug czar”, in charge of all drug policy and enforcement.

Mr Evan’s recommendations had included using specialists - such as Gardiner and Grice - to deliver drug education in schools.

However, the PHA’s Dr Keating says that evidence suggests that school drug education programmes should be taught by teachers, and there is a “question mark over the effectiveness of programmes delivered by outside agencies”.

“At the moment we have the bizarre situation of organisations like the Life Education Trust going into schools and offering programmes that include smoking prevention, even through the Trust receives funding from British American Tobacco.

We should be asking why it is that tobacco manufacturers are so keen to support youth smoking prevention programmes. Could it be because they know they certain types of programmes don’t work?.”

Bubbleberry by WundaKat

Principles of Responsible

Marijuana Use Adults Only. Cannabis consumption is for adults only. It is irresponsible to provide cannabis to people aged under 18.

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 some prescription medicines or fatigue.

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.

tips for safer cannabis use: JUST SAY KNOW!

> While cannabis has been shown to be safe for the vast majority of people who use it, there will always be some who experience problems. Ensure that your cannabis use does not impair your health, family, employment and education, and try to have periods of not consuming cannabis. > Less is More: the less you smoke, the less you will need, and the more high you will get. Heavy long term use may lead to some respiratory damage. > NORML recommends only consuming organic cannabis whenever possible. > Mixing cannabis with alcohol can make you more out of it than you intended.

The anti-nausea effect of cannabis may also cause people to drink more. > Mixing cannabis with tobacco means more smoke damage to your lungs, and may make you become nicotine dependent. > 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. > Deep tokes and long breath duration are more harmful to the lungs. Water pipes and bongs can cool the smoke, filter solids, and absorb some of 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. > 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. > Cannabis is best avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women, or women who might soon become pregnant. > People with a history of severe mental illness should reduce any cannabis use to a level agreed with their clinician, or avoid cannabis altogether. > Those receiving digitalis or other heart medications should consult their doctors before using cannabis. > 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 more psychoactive than smoked cannabis. > When used properly, cannabis is one of the least harmful substances known.

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“ ” conference report

Respect the majority!

NORML conference adopts a new Strategic Plan for 2005-2008, the road to reform...

By Chris Fowlie

With the shape of the new parliament known, cannabis law reformers gathered in late November at a lodge on the foothills of Mt Hutt to discuss and adopt a new strategic plan to take us through to the next election.

The strategic plan recognises that the Government’s coalition agreement appears to prevent legislative change, that the momentum in favour of reform has been lost, and that we therefore need to go back to the grass roots to build a massive public campaign for reform. This includes a renewed emphasis on forming NORML branches and increasing our membership base. It also recognises that to make progress we must engage the wider issues of drug law reform.

The conference heard from Green MPs Nandor Tanczos and Metiria Turei, former National Party candidate David Round, Otago University Phd student Geoff Noller, who gave a thought-provoking account of the successful campaign to change the laws in West Australia, as well as enjoying awesome food cooked up by Irinka and co, and the beautiful scenery of the Southern Alps.

Thanks to everyone who came, cooked, cleaned, shared, organised and participated.

NORML’s new strategic plan is summarised below. We welcome your comments, feedback and most of all, your offers of support!

It is obvious that prohibition does not work. Adult drug users who do not have a drug “problem” are being busted and forced into the criminal justice system. Teens are encourage to use cannabis because it’s illegality makes it “cool” - and easy to get. Addicts who need treatment can’t get help.

So why does the United Future policy of “don’t change the law” have any credibility when measured against successful alternative policies such as those followed by the Netherlands?

In the vital political demographic aged 15-45, over half (52%) have used cannabis according to studies by the Alcohol and Public Health Research Unit (APHRU). When will Parliament respect the choices made by the majority of young adults? And how can cannabis law reformers harness that majority?

The lesson of the past three years is that Parliament will not act unless there is visible public support for change.

Gaining majority support for reform In fact, regular users are not a majority, and so majority support for law reform depends on the goodwill of non-users.

NORML can be more effective, we believe, if it develops into the kind of lobby group that

NNOORRM MLL NNeeW WSS SUMMER SUMMER2006 2006

> NORML is opposed to the criminalisation of drug users > NORML supports a total overhaul of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

appeals to the whole community. Our task is to be organised with a clear vision that is broad enough to appeal to all: young and old, parents, police, lawyers, health workers and teachers, Maori and unionists.

Our campaign has two complementary aspects: 1. NORML is opposed to the criminalisation of drug users, especially cannabis users, and the discriminatory effect of criminalisation on young people and on Maori.

2. NORML supports a total overhaul of the Misuse of Drugs Act. This two-pronged approach allows NORML to attack the prohibitionists at their weakest point: their demand for ever more punitive and harsh punishments of those who offend against their prohibitionist fetish. It also allows NORML to dispel the myth that any reduction in penalties for drug use must inevitably increase harm.

Calling for a major rethink of the Misuse of Drugs Act is consistent with existing NORML policy but also does not prejudge the outcome of any review. NORML recognises that we must also deal with the wider issues of drug use in New Zealand – one reason that cannabis law reform has stalled is that it is overshadowed by pressing concerns about the

plotting and and scheming scheming plotting

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solar cones

harmful use of other legal and illegal drugs: alcohol, tobacco, “P”, NOS, ecstasy and others.

A Plan of Action It seems unlikely this Parliament is ready for major law reform, and so our thinking must be long-term. We should endeavour to make it safer for supporters to “come out”. NORML needs to lay the groundwork for the next election. Key to this is working with other groups and getting back to the grassroots in order to broaden our support base.

Previous attempts by NORML to establish or foster more “mainstream” groups to promote law reform have had some success. Other ideas include publishing a full page advert in daily newspapers of prominent (and ordinary) New Zealanders calling for reform, facilitating more speaking tours of overseas experts, and encouraging support for a wide-ranging community drug summit to thoroughly debate and discuss all aspects of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Please get in touch if you would like to join NORML’s campaign for sensible drug laws.

the conference conference venue venue the

N O R M L POLICY Stop arresting cannabis users: The Government should immediately declare a moratorium on arresting cannabis users. Every day another twenty cannabis users are made criminals.

Decriminalisation: remove all penalties for the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by adults for personal use 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, and it is better to control that market by law than to 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 an increase in use.

Reasonable restrictions: As with alcohol consumption, cannabis use should be limited to adults. Driving or operating heavy machinery while under the influence should remain prohibited. NORML has attempted to define acceptable conduct with our ‘Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use’ (see page 13).

Harm minimisation: All drugs, including cannabis, can be abused. Cannabis policies should discourage irresponsible use, including use by adolescents. Only in a climate where marijuana is viewed from a public health perspective, instead of a criminal justice perspective, can prevention efforts be effective.

It still doesn’t work.

“The current prohibition regime is not effective in limiting cannabis use ... It also facilitates the black market, and potentially exposes cannabis users to harder drugs.”

- NZ Health Select Committee report into the public health strategies and legal status of cannabis, 2003.

hello, is anyone listening???

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activism

putting the DreaD back in the House By nandor Tanczos Green mp I lost a good friend when Rod Donald died. I still feel the sadness from that. But the cannabis law reform movement also lost a good friend that day.

Rod Donald 1957-2005

Champion of ecological wisdom and a fairer society.

Supporter of sane drug laws. He will be greatly missed.

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Rod was a strong and consistent ally for sensible drug policies.

He understood that it was an important issue of justice. He saw its symbolic importance, and what it says about inclusion and exclusion in a supposed tolerant society.

Rod understood that to win the campaign for rational drug policies, we need to strongly promote our ideas. And while he sometimes had harsh words for some of the activists in the movement, it was always about tactics rather than principle. The loss of his support will hurt.

Though not as much as the dirty coalition deal Labour has stitched up with NZ First and United Future. The agreement with those parties means no legislative movement on cannabis laws for another three years. Once again cannabis users have become the kickball for Peter Dunne and Winston Peters’ political ambition and ego, and Helen Clark has gone along with it.

But to be fair, politicians play the hands they are dealt. I still meet people who tell me that they didn’t vote – couldn’t be bothered, forgot, whatever. Or

even worse, people who support the Greens but voted Labour to keep Brash out. Another 15,000 or so more Green votes would have changed everything. If that’s you, you can make amends by joining the Greens (www.greens. org.nz).

Since coming back to parliament, I have asked another Green MP, Metiria Turei, to front the cannabis reform issue. I remain as firmly committed to sensible drug policy as ever, but I came to the sad conclusion at the end of the last term of parliament that I have become an obstacle to change.

I drafted the Cannabis Infringement Bill because it was obvious that we would not get the votes in parliament for anything more progressive than instant fines for personal amounts. I was convinced, though, that we would get support for that. What I found, to my disgust, was that MPs who had said in the past that they supported ‘instant fines’, took a publicly hostile approach as soon as I promoted it.

It seems stupidly ridiculous, but true, that anything I propose in the area of cannabis law reform is immediately opposed by a whole bunch of people because they don’t like my hair.

So I was pleased that Metiria agreed to pick up the portfolio.

She is committed to reform, knows the issues, is articulate and intelligent, and will be much harder to marginalise on this, at least partly because she doesn’t smoke. She may be able to find opportunities to make progress that would be forever closed to me.

At the same time I am excited to be picking up some new portfolios – Environment, Waste reduction, Sustainable Land Management and Forestry. I am also keeping Justice - there are some important issues coming up next year around Proceeds of Crimes amendments and the Evidence Bill, where there will be a fight over the admissibility in court of improperly obtained

evidence.

There is still an opportunity to make progress on cannabis reform on the medical side. The evidence is growing for the efficacy of cannabis as a medicine for a number of conditions, while support and awareness among doctors is also increasing. It doesn’t need an actual law change to make cannabis available for medical purposes and it makes our opponents look like a bunch of heartless bastards when they have to front up to people in wheelchairs, or on chemo, or with AIDS, and tell them that they must continue to suffer because it will ‘send the wrong message’ if they are allowed some relief.

But of course for that to work it needs real people to front up.

There have been outstanding and courageous people like Greg Soar, Danuiel Clarke, Jakh Heremia, Neville Yates and others, who have fronted the campaign in the past. They need solidarity and help from other medical cannabis users. While NORML and the Green Party can assist with developing strategies and with other support, it has to be the medical users themselves who front the issue.

We need to build a constituency for change. Three years is a short time and in 2008 things will look different again. Support NORML, get active, and help build the movement so that

PHOTO: ROB CLARKE

activism

?

How can I HELP end MARIJUANA Prohibition

Here’s how: Donate money, services or your time to law reform efforts, or set up a regular donation of $5 or $10 a week into our fundraising account: “NORML NZ” ASB 12-3057-0594667-00 Resist prohibition in your day to day life. Don’t let prohibition force you to live with fear and suspicion.

If you’re busted, plead Not Guilty and/or enter no plea on your first appearance. The police and courts couldn’t enforce prohibition if cannabis users didn’t plead guilty. This would place greater strain on an already overstressed ‘justice’ system.

Prohibition would be gone by lunchtime.

Write to newspapers & call talkback radio.

Letters to the editor and talkback radio reach large audiences, and are a free way of promoting cannabis law reform to a diverse audience. Keep it short and simple so everyone can understand your point. Linking cannabis law reform to ‘hot’ local issues in local media helps broaden opposition to the criminalisaton of cannabis users.

Build understanding based on common concerns in your community. Tell parents, friends, workmates, and concerned or influential groups and individuals in your community how prohibition increases, rather than decreases, harm. Think about where they’re coming from and try to approach the subject in a way they’ll be open to. If you try to understand your audience, it’s more likely they’ll understand you!

Write to your MP. Or Email them. Letters to any MP c/- Parliament Buildings are freepost. The email format is firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz. Be sure to ask them a question, such as where they stand on the issue – and ask them to respond. Let NORML know what they say.

Talking to MP’s in person is even better. Call their office and make an appointment, or attend a public meeting they’re speaking at. Be polite even if they’re not!

Check out www.NORML.org.nz for handy facts and figures related to cannabis and the law.

Be a newshawk: email drug related media articles to the Media Awareness Project’s media archives. Check out www.mapinc. org/hawk.htm to find out how, and utilise the www.communityaction.net.nz media page for links to national media.

Distribute information around your town.

Contact us for leaflets or Norml News.

Organise a pro-law reform event in your town. Hook up with local like minded people and norml contacts and help out with J Day or organise your own event... concerts, rallies, demonstrations, movie screenings and public debates are all good ways to help promote cannabis law reform.

Set an example. Be a Functioning Pothead. Resist the negative stereotypes about pot smokers.

Join NORML and get involved in local and national law reform activities!

For further information: Check out NORML’s ‘Get Active’ guide at www.norml.org.nz/topic8.html for indepth advice including letter writing tips and materials, media directory and an easy “email your MP” feature. NZ newspaper articles on SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS 11 drugs and drug law are archived at: www.mapinc.org/nz.htm

iNtERNAtiONAL NEWS

WORLD NEWS EDITOR HARRY CORDING

UK sticks with law For once common sense has prevailed and the forces of reefer madness lost their case. The UK government has decided not to change the classification of cannabis back to Class B.

Te Kakariki, 2005 Auckland Cannabis Cup Indoor winner (PHOTO: Chris Fowlie)

No increased use in US states with med-pot laws The 10 states that approved the medical use of cannabis over the last decade have experienced sharp declines in cannabis use among teenagers, according to a new study funded and released by the Marijuana Policy Project.

The authors Mitch Earleywine, a State University of New York psychology professor, and Karen O’Keefe, a legislative analyst with the Marijuana Policy Project, analysed federal and state statistics for their report.

Although debate over medical cannabis is often shaded by concerns about increasing drug use among young people, the report does not support this assumption.

No state that has passed a medical cannabis law has seen an overall increase in teen cannabis use since the law’s passage.

The decline in teen cannabis use in states with medical cannabis laws slightly exceeds the decline seen nationally.

>

Download a pdf of the full report from www.mpp.org

Rocky mountain high

Denver votes to legalise

Denver voters have approved an initiative to make the private use of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older as an alternative to alcohol - the first city in the USA to pass such a proposal. The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative passed by 53% to 47%.

The campaign focused on the vast number of health, safety and social problems associated with alcohol use, promoting marijuana use to avoid the prevalence of such problems.

Use of marijuana by people under 21, driving under the influence of marijuana, and cultivation and distribution of marijuana would all remain illegal.

For the latest news & information see

www.norml.org.

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The herb was downgraded to Class C last year, which meant that possession was no longer an arrestable offence. The reclassification was for a trial period, and when the time came to review it, various prohibitonists said it

was causing mass psychosis and should be put back in Class B. The law reform is regarded as a success, with overall use down 1%, teen use down even more, and police time freed for other activities. The government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that although there was some evidence linking cannabis and mental illness, it was not strong enough to justify raising its classification.

‘Sativex’ medical-marijuana spray available in UK and Spain Sativex, the cannabis-based medicinal spray, has been approved as an unlicensed medicine in the UK. This means it can be prescribed to fulfil the needs of individual patients under a physician’s direct responsibility.

In an example of the devious nature of health bureaucracy, Sativex has been developed and manufactured in the UK

by GW Pharmaceuticals, yet it has to be imported from Canada before British patients can use it. Prescriptions of Sativex can only be permitted under Home Office licence, which is granted based on the clinical judgement of doctors. This development comes in response to enquiries from doctors and patients who have requested access to Sativex from the Home Office.

Canada was the first country in the world to approve Sativex.

GW is in the process of seeking full regulatory approval for Sativex in the UK so it can be marketed more widely.

A similar situation could arise in this country. New Zealand’s Medicines Act allows doctors to also import unlicensed medicines with the minister of health’s approval.

Administered via a spray under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek, Sativex is extracted from cannabis plants.

Its active ingredients are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).

Spain will supply Sativex to 600 patients in Spain - the

first time anywhere in Europe that patients have had access to Sativex outside a clinical trial. Among the patients are people with multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, AIDS, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from nausea and vomiting. The move follows calls by patients for access to cannabis-based medicine.

See pages 18 & 19 for more information about Sativex On the web: www.gw-pharm.com Stash limits UK Home Secretary Clarke has released proposals on the difference between using and dealing. These are levels that reverse the burden of proof that is a cornerstone of our justice system. Anyone caught with more than these amounts is presumed to be guilty of supply and must prove their innocence.

UK NZ Heroin 7g 0.5g Cocaine 7g 0.5g Ecstacy 10 pills 5g

iNtERNAtiONAL NEWS

USA vs Marc Emery Marc Emery, international marijuana-seed merchant and publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine, has been arrested at the behest of American drug warriors on charges could see him sentenced to life imprisonment or even death.

Marc Emery’s many challenges to the destructive insanity of cannabis prohibition have included legal support for drug war victims, support for medical marijuana patients, political campaigns and educational programs.

He founded Cannabis Culture magazine and Pot-TV.net, and has given donations towards New Zealand J Day and to the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP) to fight elections.

Now the USA has decided it’s time to take him down. Unable to deny the validity of his message, Marc Emery, a Canadian citizen, was arrested at the BC Marijuana Party headquarters in Vancouver

by Canadian police at the behest of the US Drug Enforcement Administration for a business activity that is widely tolerated in Canada.

At the time of writing he was on bail and under threat of extradition to the USA. Under so-called Drug Kingpin legislation, he could potentially be sentenced to death or life imprisonment for trafficking in more than 60,000 marijuana seeds, production of more than 60,000 marijuana plants or kilos.

Emery would be the first person arrested under this law who could qualify to be executed.

DEA administrator Karen Tandy has admitted that the actions against Emery have been taken to stop him funding cannabis legalisation campaigns.

If the DEA is prepared to violate Canadian sovereignty to thwart legitimate political activities by a Canadian citizen, could it also be prepared to violate New Zealand sovereignty and harass New Zealand citizens in the same way?

For example, BZP-based party pills are legal in New Zealand but not in the USA, and local manufacturers and distributors could potentially be arrested and charged with crimes against US law.

On September 10 there were

worldwide demonstrations at American and Canadian embassies and consulates in support of Marc Emery. NORML activists in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch did what they could to bring the issue to public attention, although it failed to generate media coverage.

Marc Emery has played a leading role in liberalising Canada’s marijuana laws. In 1990, when he became a cannabis activist, all marijuana books, magazines, videos and pipes were illegal in Canada. He broke the law by importing copies of High Times, bought newspaper ads to announce the fact and welcomed police to arrest him.

His approach worked well.

Along with cannabis activism, Emery deliberately broke laws on Sunday shopping, obscenity laws, and other Canadian social control laws - and helped change them. He describes his activities as “revolutionary retail” or “capitalist activism”.

His lawyer John Conroy said the case against Emery is unfair because Canadian police have never charged him while he openly sold seeds for nine years.

“Even Health Canada was directing people to online websites like Mr. Emery’s to buy seeds.

And now they’re helping the Americans,” he said at a news conference.

Emery listed his occupation as “Marijuana Seed Vendor” on his tax returns, and Revenue Canada was happy to take his money - $578,000 in personal income taxes from 1999 to 2005.

Furthermore, every Canadian member of Parliament had a free subscription to Cannabis Culture magazine. Until now, every issue began with a multi-page marijuana seed catalogue.

Cannabis Culture magazine is still distributed in New Zealand, but the seed business has been shut down - for now.

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medical marijuana

RESEARCH

This section, continued on pages 18-19, contains a selection of recent research into the many benefits and medical uses of cannabis.

Reclassification call An editorial of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) calls for a reclassification of cannabis to legalize it for medical use. “Sound regulation of medical marijuana requires government oversight based on public health, a rigorous research agenda, a private physician-patient relationship, and respect for patients who seek relief from suffering,” the commentary states. Reclassifying marijuana as a schedule II would allow for medical prescriptions subject to strict regulation without unduly interfering with federal drug policy, says the journal.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2005;294:842-844

Australian survey on medical cannabis Researchers of the University of New South Wales conducted a questionnaire survey on the medical use of cannabis. Data were available for 128 participants.

Long term and regular medical cannabis use was frequently reported for multiple medical conditions including chronic pain (57 per cent), depression (56 per cent), arthritis (35 per cent), persistent nausea (27 per cent) and weight loss (26 per cent).

Cannabis was perceived to provide “great relief” overall (86 per cent), and substantial relief of specific symptoms such as pain, nausea and insomnia. It was also typically perceived as superior to other medications in terms of undesirable effects, and the extent of relief provided. Issues related to the illegality of the drug caused the most concerns. Participants reported strong support for their use from their physicians and their family.

Source: Swift W, Gates P, Dillon P. Survey of Australians using cannabis for medical purposes. Harm Reduct J 2005;2(1):18.

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NNOORRM MLL NNeeW WSS SUMMER SUMMER2006 2006

www.cannabis-med.org

THC Inhibits Tumour Cell Growth, Halts Spread of Cancer, Studies Say San Francisco, CA: The administration of the cannabinoid THC selectively inhibits the proliferation of malignant cancer cells more effectively than does the use of a synthetic cannabinoid agent, according to clinical trial data published in the August issue of the Journal of Neurooncology.

Researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute reported that the administration of THC on human glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumour) cell lines decreased the proliferation of malignant cells and induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) more rapidly than did the administration of the cannabis receptor agonist WIN-55,212-2. Researchers also noted that THC selectively targeted malignant cells while ignoring healthy ones in a more profound manner than did the synthetic agonist.

Administration of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits the growth of

colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells, according to clinical trial data published in the August issue of the journal Gut. “These findings suggest [that] anandamide may be a useful chemopreventive/therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer ... and may also be useful in the eradication of tumour cells,” authors concluded.

Previous trials have found that cannabinoids selectively induce tumour regression in rodents and in human cells, including the inhibition of lung carcinoma, glioma (brain tumours), lymphoma/leukemia, skin carcinoma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

Cannabinoids may be anti-depressant & promote growth of new brain cells Forgetillegal the stereotype cannabis makes may be laboratory good for you Other and legalthat drugs, including opi-users “dopey”, The teamitinjected ratsafter withall.a ates, alcohol, nicotine and cocaine, suppress synthetic substance called HU-210, which is the formation of new brain cells when used similar, but 100 times as potent as THC (deltachronically. However, researchers at the 9-tetrahydrocannabinol). They found that University of Saskatchewan, Canada, found the rats treated regularly with a high dose of that cannabinoids promoted generation of new HU-210 — twice a day for 10 days — showed neurons in rats’ hippocampuses. growth of neurons in the hippocampus.

Hippocampuses are the part of the brain The researchers don’t know if pot, which responsible for learning and memory, and isn’t as pure as the lab-produced version, the cannabinoid effect was associated with would have the same effect. decreased anxiety and depression.

Source: Jiang W, Zhang Y, Xiao L, Van Cannabis appears “to be the only illicit Cleemput J, Ji SP, Bai G, Zhang X. Candrug whose capacity to produce increased ... nabinoids promote embryonic and adult neurons is positively correlated with its (antihippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiety) and anti-depressant-like effects,” anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects.

Dr. Xia Zhang and his colleagues wrote in an J Clin Invest. 2005 Oct 13 article for the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

CBD reduces psychosis

Cannabis contains a compound that may be able to reverse psychotic behaviour, say researchers at Monash University in a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology

The scientists found that cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical compound in cannabis, reverses drug-induced behavioural disturbances in mice.

“This could mean that cannabidiol may reverse the symptoms of psychosis in humans,” said principal researcher Dr Leonora Long.

The findings are supported by a recent study from the University of Cologne. Researchers compared the effects of CBD and amisulpride (an established antipsychotic) in 42 patients with acute schizophrenia. CBD significantly reduced psychopathological symptoms of acute psychosis, when compared to the initial status. The treatment effect of the two medicines was the same, but cannabidiol caused significantly less side effects than

amisulpride.

Israeli scientists believe the association between cannabis use schizophrenia that has been reported in recent studies from Sweden, the Netherlands and New Zealand may not be causal.

The researchers write: “An alternative explanation of the association between cannabis use and schizophrenia might be that pathology of the cannabinoid system in schizophrenia patients is associated with both increased rates of cannabis use and increased risk for schizophrenia, without cannabis being a causal factor for schizophrenia.”

GREEN CROSS Medicinal Cannabis Support Group of NZ (Inc) PO Box 27-209 Mt Roskill, Auckland Email: billymckee@actrix.co.nz Phone: 06 368 8181 - anytime

www.greencross.org.nz

Sources: Weiser M, Noy S. Dialogues Clin Neurosci.

2005;7(1):81-5; Leweke et al., at www.cannabis-med.org;

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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> decriminalise > educate > legalise > regulate

SHOW YOU

SEND YOUR PHOTOS, F PO BOX 3307 AK OR NE

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N O R M L N e W S SUMMER 2006

UR GROW!

FILM OR DIGI PIX TO: EWS@NORML.ORG.NZ

LEFT: “somewhere in the North Island ABOVE & BELOW: Kaitaia Fire RIGHT: Brian’s garden, West Aucks

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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medical marijuana

Cannabis soothes joints extract helps rheumatoid arthritis

A clinical study published in the journal Rheumatology found that Sativex, a cannabis extract containing equal amounts of THC and CBD, was superior to placebo in 58 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers found that patients who had taken Sativex had significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep, and inflammation.

In the double-blind trial 31 patients received cannabis and 27 placebo over 5 weeks of treatment. Participants could take up to 6 doses, one dose of Sativex containing 2.5 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD. Mean doses achieved in the final treatment week was 13.5 mg THC in the cannabis group.

The large majority of adverse effects were mild or moderate, and there were no adverse effect-related withdrawals or serious adverse effects in the active treatment group.

Researchers concluded that “a significant analgesic effect was observed and disease activity was significantly suppressed following Sativex treatment. Whilst the differences are small and variable across the population, they represent benefits of clinical relevance and show the need for more detailed investigation in this indication.”

Sources: Blake DR, et al. Preliminary assessment of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a cannabis-based medicine (Sativex) in the treatment of pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology 2005, November 9; Press release of GW Pharmaceuticals of 9 November 2005

b-man’s haze

Medical Marijuana

News Cannabis ingredient suppresses hunger Smoking marijuana is well known for giving users the “munchies”, an uncontrollable desire to eat Tim Tams and other sweet delights, but now scientists have found it also contains a chemical that suppresses appetite. Roger Pertwee, a neuropharmacologist at Aberdeen University, told the British Association festival of science on September 6 that a chemical known as tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) works on the same receptors as THC but has entirely the opposite effect.

THCV is not the first appetite suppressant to be inspired by cannabis. A synthetic cannabinoid, the drug Rimonabant works by blocking the brain receptors that the body’s own cannabinoid compounds - released when we comfort eat - attach themselves to. Because the cannabinoids do not reach the receptors in a person

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taking Rimonabant, they will feel less compulsion to eat.

Source: The Guardian, 7 September 2005

Body mass index and cannabis US researchers investigated the correlation between cannabis use and body mass index (BMI).

The BMI is a measure for the relationship between weight and height. A high BMI is found in obese subjects. The study with 297 women showed that despite cannabis being known to increase appetite, cannabis use in the past year was more common in subjects with low BMI. Source: Warren M, J Addict Dis 2005;24(3):95-100.

Singer used cannabis for chemo Melissa Etheridge said that she smoked cannabis to help with the pain and the side effects of chemotherapy during her treatment for breast cancer. The 44-yearold singer, who was diagnosed

a year ago, is now cancer-free.

“Instead of taking five or six of the prescriptions, I decided to go a natural route and smoke marijuana,” Etheridge said.

Source: Associated Press, 14 October 2005

Cannabis relieves nausea in pregnancy In a survey by several Canadian institutions, including the Vancouver Island Compassion Society and the University of Vancouver, 92 per cent of pregnant users who suffered from nausea and vomiting reported relief from cannabis. The survey bound to be controversial - will be published by the Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, likely in 2006.

Source: The Province, 6 October 2005

Where there’s no smoke...

Dutch researchers of the University of Groningen developed a THC powder suitable for smokefree inhalation. Solutions of THC and inulin in a mixture of tertiary

butanol and water were spray freeze dried. The powders can be dispersed into aerosols with a particle size appropriate for “smokefree” inhalation.

Source: van Drooge DJ et al. Eur J Pharm Sci 2005;26(2):231-40

Cannabis medicine helps bowel disorder Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may benefit from cannabis-based drugs, UK scientists believe. The Bath University team found people with the gut disorder had an abundant number of a type of cannabinoid receptors in their body. They believe this is part of the body’s attempt to dampen down the inflammation and that giving a drug that binds to these receptors could boost this. Their findings appear in the journal Gastroenterology.

read more at the website of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine:

Cannabis reduces neuropathic pain due to multiple sclerosis

medical marijuana

Researchers of the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Liverpool demonstrated in a clinical study that the cannabis extract Sativex from GW Pharmaceuticals is effective in reducing neuropathic pain and sleep disturbance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

“Central neuropathic pain occurs frequently in people with MS. It can be tremendously debilitating and unresponsive to existing therapies,” Dr Carolyn Young, principal investigator of the study, said.

The 5 week placebo-controlled study was conducted in 66 patients with MS who suffered from chronic neuropathic pain. 64 patients completed the trial, of whom 32 received the cannabis extract and 32 the placebo. Sativex contains equal amounts of THC and cannabidiol (CBD) and is administered as a spray under the tongue.

The mean maximum daily THC dose was 25 mg (range: 5-65 mg). Pain and sleep disturbance were recorded daily on an 11point numerical rating scale.

Cannabis caused a significant mean pain reduction of 2.7 points compared with 1.4 points for the placebo.

Sleep was significantly improved by 2.5 points with cannabis compared to 0.8

points with placebo. The cannabis extract was generally well tolerated, although more patients on cannabis than placebo reported dizziness, dry mouth, and somnolence.

Based on these study results, which were published in the journal Neurology, Sativex was approved as a prescription medicine in Canada for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain in adults with MS and is intended to be available in Canadian pharmacies by early 2006.

Let Let patients patients grow their their own! own! grow

Above: BubbleBerry by Wunda Kat Below: Billy’s @ 7 weeks

Sources: Rog DJ et al, Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2005;65(6):812-9; press release by GW Pharmaceuticals of 27 September 2005

www.cannabis-med.org

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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feature

The Economics of Prohibition Adrian Picot investigated the costs of maintaining marijuana prohibition and found that nobody knows for sure what the costs are, but they are undoubtedly much larger than the direct costs reported in official government figures. obviously well above those of enforcement and punishment and represent perhaps the major cost of cannabis prohibition.

Market value

D ata o n t h e d i r e c t l a w enforcement costs from the US and New Zealand, both countries with strict prohibitionist regimes, are the same order of magnitude.

Boston University economics professor Jeffrey A. Miron has calculated the annual enforcement costs for the US as $26 million per million citizens1. The New Zealand Government spends $14 million per million citizens annually - a total of $56 million per year2.

The picture is less clear when the issues of indirect social costs and foregone tax revenues are considered, as no figure is provided by the government.

The main social cost of being convicted would be a loss of employment and/or potential earnings. If 6,000 new people are convicted every year and they suffer a 20% loss of potential earnings, the lost economic earnings could be as high as

$30 million per year, and $7.5 million in lost tax revenue. The cumulative losses could amount to $900 million per year. Over thirty years, the cumulative loss to GNP could be as high as $29.5 billion, with a loss of $6.8 billion in tax revenue, according to this analysis.

There are other intangible costs as well. Work by Simon Lenton3 of Australia’s National Center for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse allows us to compare data from West Australia, which had at the time a total prohibition, and South Australia which has partial decriminalisation.

The differences, presented in Table 1, give substance to the idea that there are large intangible costs associated with cannabis convictions, which create significant impediment to the lives of thousands per year, with a persistent and cumulative social cost. These figures are

Table 1: Indirect Social Costs

Negative employment consequences Further problems with the law Negative relationship consequences Problems with accommodation

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South Aust. (fines) 2% 0% 5% 0%

West Aust. (conviction) 32% 2% 20% 16%

To provide an estimated turnover for the potential taxation of cannabis, we can look at the wine industry – the market it most resembles. Wine has a defined health and tax structure that could be adapted easily and quickly into the cannabis market. The tax level should be realistic and matched in some way to the health issues associated with cannabis. Wine has an annual turnover of about $500 million per year and a staff of 45004. If the cannabis industry employed - as a very conservative estimate - 1500 people as growers and distributors, this alone could represent a transformation of benefits into income tax of probably $300-$400 weekly, or nearly 23 million dollars per annum; a figure comparable to annual police costs for enforcing cannabis prohibition.

The Miron report - endorsed by more that 500 economists including Nobel prize winner Milton Friedman - estimates the US cannabis market as US$35 per person per year, with an annual turnover of US$10.5 billion. Tax revenue would be US$2.4 billion if cannabis is taxed as other goods or US$6.2 billion if taxed at the same rates as alcohol or tobacco.

Enforcement costs were US$5.1 billion per year.

If similar figures were applied to New Zealand, this would mean tax revenues of $32 million if cannabis were taxed as other goods, or $82 million if taxed as similar rates as tobacco and alcohol.

Adjusted for our cannabis use rates, Miron’s analysis would put the average yearly spend for each Kiwi cannabis user at $322, with the annual trade $205 million.

These figures are broadly similar to research from Massey

University’s SHORE centre.

Dr Chris Wilkins advised the cannabis inquiry in 2001 that the cannabis wholesale market was estimated to be worth $52.2 million and the retail market $84.3 million. The inquiry report noted that “Other estimates of the value of the cannabis market vary wildly from $140 million to $900 million a year for Northland alone.”2 These estimates may not be unrealistic. The UN estimated this year that the global drugs trade is worth US$457 billion.

In 2001 the University of Western Australia’s economics department found that Australians spend an estimated A$5 billion on marijuana, or A$351 per person per year 5 . Adjusting for our population, this would value the New Zealand marijuana market at $1.1 billion annually.

Cannabis is widely used in New Zealand and the market is undoubtedly large. Since the legal status of cannabis has been shown to have little or no effect on use rates, the main effect of legalising, regulating and taxing cannabis in New Zealand would be to transform a wasted liability of more than $50 million into a bonus tax revenue of an even greater figure.

References

1. Miron, Jeffrey A., The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition www.prohibitioncosts.org 2. Inquiry into the public health strategies related to cannabis use and the most appropriate legal status, Report of the Health Committee, August 2003 3. Infringement versus conviction: The social impact of a minor cannabis offence in South Australia and Western Australia “Simon Lenton; Rachel Humeniuk; Penny Heale; Paul Christie 4. Massey University 2001 5. www.ecel.uwa.edu.au/econs/erc/ Mari/Mari.PDF. All figures are in NZ dollars, unless stated otherwise.

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bush doctor

Things could be better

By Pierre Paquay, manufacturer of Gro! “The best mix for your pot”

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could just grow and consume our own weed without fear of the police? Or be able to cruise down to your local cannabis distributor and choose your smoke from a variety of well grown buds, in an environment conducive to being stoned and happy?

In places around the worldstatus where stoners enjoy a more liberal environment due to the changing status constricts our own canof cannabis, heaps of positive nabis culture. spin offs have come about. For In Canada and many European now we can only imagine what countries, trade in cannabis seed positive spin offs legalization or is legal, as seeds contain no decriminalisation would have on psychoactive ingredients and are our local cannabis industry and actually very nutritious. A cool other industries such as hospitalspin off has been that seed comity and tourism. panies have been able to breed Our domestic cannabis industry many new and different hybrids. is very much shaped by the conThere are literally hundreds of straints on prohibition. In fact strains of cannabis now. Some it’s often only when we travel Indica, some Sativa, but mostly to cannabis friendly places that mixed to create all sorts of flawe realize how much pots legal vours and highs. Quite a few seed

Above: Te Kakariki. Below: Devastar

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companies offer a mail order, so a number of modern hybrid cannabis strains have made it to New Zealand.

Unfortunately, because of our laws, most kiwi cultivators prefer fast flowering, heavy yielding varieties to minimize their risk and maximize profit. That means that most of us never get to taste or experience all of the other varieties which have been bred for taste or quality of high.

Long flowering varieties like the Haze family of hybrids have been immortalized through song but have hardly made it to our shores. Instead we tend to smoke either Afghani based indoor buds, which often make up for their lack of sophistication in both high and flavour by delivering a “knock-out “ somatic stoning. Or we smoke bush weed of dubious genetic origin and quality.

The illegality of growing ganja means kiwi’s grow secretively either using artificial lights, or in small plots hidden in the bush or cover crops. In other countries growers are able to cultivate fields and glasshouses full of buds. In large scale controlled gardens it’s easy and makes sense to set aside an area specifically for research and development. Consequently the cannabis industry in Europe and Canada is pretty savvy and sophisticated.

If New Zealand growers could legally grow in glass houses, it would be interesting for many cultivators to reserve an area of the garden specifically for experimental work including breeding. But prohibition makes kiwi cultivators very production focused. We are missing out on more than just being able to smoke pot legally under prohibition, it totally effects the quality, variety, availability and price.

In Holland where coffee shops have openly sold pot for three decades now, consumers can choose from hundreds of varieties. Most coffee shops stock at

least six, if not 15 to 20, different flavours. Everything from imported African and Asian bush weed to outdoor European weed to green house pot to indoor buds are sold side by side so consumers can really tell what is what. Pot enthusiasts can view and smell everything prior to purchase and the sales people are generally well informed, helpful and usually pretty cool pot enthusiast themselves.

In such an open trading environment quality dictates price.

That encourages growers to do their best, which in turn benefits consumers. Cannabis traders in Holland are connoisseurs that know their product and market very well. In order to maximize their return, Dutch growers must produce buds that are well grown, dried and presented. Anything that has been sprayed, over fertilized, under manicured, poorly or hardly dried isn’t marketable.

There are industry standards that everyone understands and appreciates from grower to smoker and all the dealers in between.

Speaking of dealers, that is one area that legislators around the world have issues with. It seems that politicians from Holland to Australia to the UK can handle relaxing consumption and personal possession/cultivation laws, but they have real problems legitimizing the commercial cannabis industry.

Catch 22. How can it be ok to smoke, grow or have small quantities but not be able to supply it? And who determines what amount constitutes personal supply when individual consumption rates vary hugely? Plants can also vary massively in size yielding anywhere from 5 grams to 2 kilos per plant.

The Dutch coffee shops have huge problems managing stock and supply due to their legal catch 22. They’re allowed to sell small quantities to their customers, but they still have to sneak large

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SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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2006 Auckland Auckland Cannabis Cannabis Cup Cup Indoor Indoor entries, entries, from from 2006 left: Te Te Kakariki Kakariki (1st).

(1st). Majestic Majestic (3rd), (3rd), Devastar, Devastar, left: Opal, AK-47 AK-47 (2nd), (2nd), Uno. Uno. Opal, quantities into the shops because no one is allowed to possess more than a few grams, including the distributors. So in reality only a small sector of the cannabis industry has been legitimized and the larger sectors of production and distribution are still illegal.

It’s a situation that doesn’t make sense which ever way you look at it. The Government is missing out on huge tax revenues, growers and traders remain outlaws, the coffee shops have stock supply issues (although they pay huge tax bills), and consumers sometimes have an interrupted supply.

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It would make much more sense to legitimize the entire industry in New Zealand and regulate it in some way like alcohol or party pills. Why should growers and dealers continued to be outlawed when breweries can prosper, especially in gardener friendly New Zealand?

Having a set of industry standards and trading rules would be fantastic in our cannabis industry. If every grower and dealer worked according to universally recognized standards there would be a lot less conflict and bullshit within our industry.

If our New Zealand cannabis industry was regulated, we could openly form a cannabis growers

confederation, for example. Imagine a collective which works to assist growers with any problems that they may have and which could be used to educate and update growers on any new technology. We would also be able to market and distribute pot collectively to larger markets. The World could be our oyster.

We already have a thriving cannabis culture ingrained for several decades in Godzone country.

Hundreds of thousands of us love smoking weed and getting stoned, it’s almost a national past time at this time of year. Remember Bogor the hedgehogs xmas tree?

This year, when all you stoners are sneaking around looking for that discreet smoking spot, just imagine how utterly, fucking cool it would be to be able to spark it up without fear of any recriminations what so ever.

My new years resolution is to spark up as much as I can get away with and past it on as especially at public events. Lets all smoke heaps in public this summer, and imagine how cool things could really be in New Zealand with a little law change.

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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BUSTED?

Say nothing until you have spoken to

PETER WINTER BA LLB Barrister Specialist in Criminal Law

Hobson St Chambers, Auckland City.

Phone 09 379-7658 Mobile 0274 499-987

Also available for trials in Northland & the Waikato

ALL DRUGS CASES - ALL COURTS

Chris Tennet Mob. 021 626 878 - Ph. (07) 571 0966 www.devonportchambers.co.nz chris@devonportchambers.co.nz 20 + years experience Knowledgeable Reasonable rates

MATT GOODWIN Barrister

Drug cases in Bay of Plenty Westpac Trust Building, Level 4, 2 Devonport Road, Tauranga Ph: (07) 579-0400 Mobile: (0274) 999-433 (24 hrs) Solicitor referral may be required

LAWYERS LIST

Whangarei: David Sayes 09 4382154; Nick Leader 09 4384039; Wellsford: Gary Sellars 09 4238022; Auckland: Peter Winter 09 3797658; Graeme Minchin 025 2122704; Johnnie Kovacevich 021 653933 or 09 3093364; Marie Dyhrberg 09 3604550; Maria Pecotic 09 5227399; Owen Harold 09 6304969; Gary Gotlieb 09 3766806; Barry Hart 09 3789732; Rodney Harrison 09 3034157; Grey Lynn Community Law: 09 3786085; Waikato/Bay of Plenty: Chris Tennet 021 626 878 or 07 5710966; Matt Goodwin 07 5790400 Hamilton: Roger Layborne 07 8396288; Emily Coupland 07 8381069; Rotorua: Simon Lance 07 3460796; Gisborne: Phil Dreyfrus 06 8671379; Hastings: Community Law Centre 06 8797625; Palmerston North: Peter Coles 06 3581075; Wellington: Michael Appleby 0274 403363; Community Law Centre 04 4992928; Christchurch: David Ruth 03 3745486 Community Law Centre 03 3666870; Timaru: Tony Shaw 03 6886056; Dunedin: Community Law Centre 03 4779562; Invercargill: John Pringle 03 2144069; Community Law Centre 03 2143180; Youth Law: a free confidential legal

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KNOW your RIGHTS! A brief guide to your rights with the police

www.youthlaw.co.nz

Police Questioning · You have the right to remain silent – including not making a statement - 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 always ask if you’ve been arrested because you only have to go with the police if you’ve been arrested, or if you’re under 17 and drunk, high or at risk of being harmed or harming someone. · You have the right to talk to your own or a free lawyer if you’re being questioning about an offence. Tell the police you want to speak to one on the Bill of Rights list. · If you’re under 17 you also have the right to have a supportive adult of your choice with you at the police station. If you don’t name someone the police must get another adult to be with you (not a police officer).

Searches · Always ask why you are being searched. · The police can only search you, your bag or car if you let them; 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 let them; or they have a search warrant; or they have reasonable grounds to think it contains drugs. · If you don’t agree to a search you must say so. Silence is consent! · If you are female usually only a policewoman can search you.

Arrests, Detainment and Charges · If you are 17 or over the police can arrest you if they have good cause to suspect you have “breached the peace” (caused a disturbance) or committed an offence punishable by imprisonment. · Don’t run away or resist arrest. · Always ask if you’re being arrested, detained or charged and why. · 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 the police you want to talk to one on the Bill of Rights list before talking to them. Tell your lawyer if you need medical attention. · You have the right to get bail unless there is a good reason for holding you in custody or you have been charged with a very serious offence or offences.

Going To Court · You can enter “no plea” the first time you’re in court. In the week or two that you are then given by the court you can get a copy of your police file from the police and get legal advice. Check with the court if you can get legal aid or see the duty solicitor at court on the day of your case.

Remember · Stay calm and don’t get smart. · Try to get the police officer’s name, number and police station. · 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.

Complaints About the Police · Freephone the Police Complaints Authority 0800 503 728; or · The Senior Sergeant at the police station; or · Your local community law centre, YouthLaw, a lawyer or NORML. · Write down everything that happened and who did it, while you remember. Get photos of any injuries and see a doctor.

To contact NORML about civil rights advice & legal support, call 09 302 5255, 09 309 8653 or South Island: 021 399 822 Or for more information: Youthlaw: www.youthlaw.co.nz Prisoner’s Aid & Rehabilitation Society: www.pars.org.nz Dept for Courts: www.courts.govt.nz

Largest study on cannabis and driving finds only a low increased risk Several other recent studies find no increased risk; burdon is on officials to justify roadside testing

BY CHRIS FOWLIE

The largest study of its kind has found drivers under the influence of cannabis are far less likely to be culpable in traffic accidents than drunk drivers, while several other recent studies have found no increased risk at all.

In an epidemiological study of approximately 8,000 accidents published in the British Medical Journal, researchers at the French National Institute for Research on Transportation and Safety found that alcohol intoxication and speeding were nearly ten times more likely to be an attributing factor in traffic fatalities than the use of cannabis.

Overall, researchers estimated that psychomotor impairment caused by cannabis was similar to that exhibited by drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 per cent.

The legal limit in New Zealand for a driver over 20 is a BAC of 0.08 The relative risk for causing a fatal accident (where 1 = no increased risk) was 1.8-2.2 for cannabis.

The risk factor was ten times that - about 20 - for alcohol above a BAC of 0.05, and also for speeding.

The study results have been provoking embarrassment among French government officials as they always claimed drugs are responsible for more deaths than speeding.

A recent study in Sweden found that the introduction of zero-concentration limits for THC and other drugs in the blood of drivers did not result in a reduction of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). Researcher also noted that “the spectrum of drugs identified in blood samples from DUID suspects has not changed much since the zero-limit law was introduced” in 1999.

In another recent study, by researchers at the University of Maryland, the use of cannabis was not associated with the risk to cause a traffic accident.

Researchers looked at the presence of alcohol and illegal drugs in 6,581 drivers who were hospitalized at a shock trauma center from 1997 to 2001. Crash culpability was strongly associated with alcohol use. In contrast, this study did not find an association between crash culpability and cannabis use. Since only urine tests on cannabinoids

were performed, it is not known whether drivers were actually under the influence of cannabis - and since cannabis lingers long after use this makes the association even weaker.

In another recent study, researchers of the University of Victoria (Canada) investigated whether clients in treatment for problems related to the use of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or various combinations of these substances, had a higher risk to drive while impaired compared to a control group. 445 drivers under treatment were included. In the 8 years before treatment, every drug group except the “cannabis only” group had significantly more convictions for driving while impaired than controls.

UK Police use computer games to test impairment Last year UK Police introduced traditional coordination tests to check for drivers impairment by drugs. Now the Home Office has turned to computer games.

The traditional test included such tasks as instructing drivers to walk in a straight line, stand on one leg or touch their nose with their index finger. The Home Office believes the tests are too subjective, so has loaded a laptop with several “games” designed to assess the reactions of a motorist. Drivers would be tested not only on their speed and dexterity but also the accuracy with which they performed the task. This is because while cannabis can slow reaction time, amphetamines quicken it - but also make individuals more prone to error.

Both these sorts of tests - traditional and computer - are more accurate than urine or saliva screens, as they measure actual impairment rather than past exposure to drugs.

A urine test may pick up cannabis residues that are several weeks old, while doing nothing to detect drivers impaired by fatigue or prescription drugs. Coordination- or computer-based tests are also less invasive, cheaper and quicker to operate.

Sources: Libération, 3 October 2005; Jones AW. Traffic Inj Prev 2005;6(4):31722; Soderstrom CA, et al. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 2005;49:31530; Macdonald S, et al. Traffic Inj Prev 2005;6(3):207-11.

Drug testing NZ Police may be drug tested Police officers may face random drug tests and hidden surveillance in a bid to restore public confidence in the force.

The Office of the Police Commissioner has launched an internal review of police ethics following high-profile criminal investigations of police officers, the discovery of pornography on police email systems, and inadequacies in the 111 service.

The review, code-named Operation Integrity, will consider implementing random drug and alcohol testing for staff, covert surveillance operations, alcohol guidelines for police in remote areas and DNA testing for recruits.

ESR records huge growth in workplace testing Government agency ESR is actively marketing itself as the answer to workplace accidents. Tests have risen to 24,000 in the last year. NORML believes urine tests are inherently unfair as they do not detect current impairment, but past exposure to drugs. In the case of marijuana, metabolites hang around for weeks or months after the user has “straightened up”. Urine tests cannot tell the difference.

Sports drug chief wants pot un-banned New Zealand Sports Drug Agency executive director Graeme Steel wants WADA, the world anti-doping agency, to remove cannabis from its banned list so it can concentrate on catching real cheats who use performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids, human-growth hormones and EPO.

“We don’t want to be seen as social police,” Steel told the Sunday Star-Times.

“We’ve always regarded ourselves as being here to stop cheats. Now we have to spend time doing other things, which we are not well set up to do.”

Steel said the positive cannabis tests in New Zealand had not come from the top level of professional sport such as the All Blacks, Warriors and Silver Ferns, but from various levels below them, including rugby’s NPC (one) and the Bartercard Cup national rugby league competition (one).

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2005 Cannabis Cup Results These are the official results for the High Times cannabis cup, held in Amsterdam, November 20-24.

Remember, if you like what the Dutch have, you can Overall Cannabis Cup

1. Willie Nelson by Barney’s 2. Arjan’s Ultra Haze 2 by Green House 3. Silver Haze by De Dampkring

Import Hash Cup

1. Caramella Cream by Barney’s 2. Rifman Malika by De Dampkring 3. King Hassan by Green House

Nederhash Cup

1. Waterworks by De Dampkring 2. Kadni Bubble by Barney’s 3. Arjan’s Ultra 2 Haze Hash by Green House

gratuitous bud bud shot... shot... gratuitous

from “somewhere “somewhere in in the the North North Island” Island” from

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Indica Cup (Seed Co)

1. Lavender by Soma Seeds 2. LA Confidential by DNA

3. Sensi Star by Paradise Seeds

Sativa Cup (Seed Co)

1. Martian Mean Green by DNA 2. Nebula by Paradise Seeds 3. Kushage by THSeeds

Product Award

1. Vapezilla by Wicked Roots 2. Bubbleator hash maker by Pollinator Co 3. Mini Matches by De Dampkring for more information see www.

Shop

Calendars > 2006 $6 ea , 2 for $10 1995 thru to 2005: $5 each, or 3 for $10 (2004 sold out)

Get this dope gear and support NORML

T SHIRTS!

NORML Logo or Not Cool In School website on back.

Mens available in S, M, L, black or white, Women’s in white XS, S, M. $30 for non-members $20 for members.

Add $5 tube postage per order.

Spot >

ORDER FORM BELOW! .

“We Smoked Here”, “Legalise Cannabis” “Not Cool In School”.

25mm round, 10 for $1

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Bumper Stickers 250 x 70mm. $1 each.

Join Help end cannabis prohibition - and get some free stuff!

Post the form below with your donation.

Your details are confidential. We’ll post you Norml News magazines (in a plain envelope), some stickers and a free copy of Cannabis Culture magazine!

CONTACT US!

NORML New Zealand Inc. PO Box 3307, Auckland or c/- The Hempstore 29 Victoria St East.

Phone: 09 302-5255 Fax: 09 303 1309 info@norml.org.nz www.norml.org.nz

LOCAL NORML CONTACTS Auckland: Chris 09 302-5255 auckland@norml.org.nz Auckland University: Dan au@norml.org.nz Hamilton: Gary 07 856-8394 hamilton@norml.org.nz Napier: Steve 021 2166751 Levin: Billy 06 368 8181 levin@norml.org.nz

Wellington: Will 04-475-8859 or 021 165-8073 wellington@norml.org.nz Nelson: Duncan 021 216-5863 Christchurch: Paula 03 389 1955 christchurch@norml.

Books ,

New Zealand Green by Redmer Yska; Marijuana: the facts by Dave Currie. $15 each.

Big thanksto...

MEMBERSHIP FORM YES! I want to join the NORML freedom moveI am joining for the first time, or renewing my membership I enclose: $15 regular $10 beneficiaries, seniors Additional donation of $ _______ Send me this stuff from the Norml Shop: NZ Green Calendars (year: ____ ) $5 ea + $5 tube postage $ ___ NORML T SHIRT NCIS T SHIRT size & colour: ____ $ ___ ‘legalise’, ‘we smoked here’, ‘NCIS’ stickers 10 for $1: $ ___ Bumper stickers $1 each (design: ____________) $___ Norml News back issues $1 each $ ___ New Zealand Green book $15 each $ ___ Marijuana: the facts & case for legalisation book $15 each $___ TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED: $________ NAME: ________________________________________________________ POSTAL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ CITY / TOWN: __________________________________________________ PHONE: ______________________MOBILE: ________________________ E-MAIL: ________________________________________________________ OCCUPATION / SKILLS: _________________________________________ I CAN HELP WITH: stalls & events Norml News writing letters court support leaflets and posters medical marijuana other (please specify): POST THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER TO: “NORML NZ Inc.” PO BOX 3307, AUCKLAND 1015 NEW ZEALAND office use: SUM.2006 mem: rec: snt:

SUMMER 2006 N O R M L NeWS

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Harry Cording’s

Report from

Is Amsterdam all it’s cracked up to be? You better believe it! If you’re a pot head, toker, herbaliser, or person of cannabis culture, it’s a pilgrimage you should make at least once in your lifetime. In July it was my turn.

I came prepared with a coffeeshop map downloaded from the internet. (www. coffeeshopdirect.com) There are over 100 coffeeshops in Amsterdam, and they can be found in many other cities and towns throughout Holland.

I arrived in the city, dropped off my bags, and with trusty map in hand, went in search of establishments displaying the marijuana leaf in the window.

The first coffeeshop I found was called Noon - a little place, just a bar and a few Above: Willie Wortel’s dealer booth.

Below: the selection on display Bottom: the famous Mellow Yellow (PHOTOS BY CHRIS FOWLIE)

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iNtERNAtiONAL NEWS

NNOORRM MLL NNeeW WSS SUMMER SUMMER2006 2006

Amsterdam

tables. I asked for the menu, which had about a dozen varieties of herb. Most of the pot available in coffeeshops is local indoor product.

The average price in the coffeeshops I visited was six Euros a gram, and the top price I saw was 12 Euros. I went for the average priced bud, to see what average meant here and compared to New Zealand green, I have to say it was... pretty average.

But average was still pretty good - and the pleasure of being able to pick your bud from a menu, sit in a coffeeshop, roll up and smoke in a totally relaxed fashion was a mighty buzz in itself.

Coffeeshops have complimentary rolling papers on the counter so you can skin up on the spot. They usually offer the king size, because a lot of the punters like to roll spliffs with tobacco. They don’t seem to mind if you toke up herb that you haven’t bought on their premises, as long as you buy a drink or something.

Dutch coffeeshops have been in existence since the early 1970s, and the law on them remains ambiguous. Cannabis use is not illegal, but possession is. However, anyone caught with less than 30 grams is not prosecuted. Anyone over 18 can buy up to 5 grams in a coffeeshop, which is allowed to hold stock up to 500 grams. But technically the shop owner is breaking the law because production and supply to coffeeshops remains against the law, although cultivation of up to five plants for private use is allowed.

There have been some reports that the Dutch government plans to close down coffeeshops. This is nonsense. Some licenses have been allowed to lapse, so the numbers have gradually reduced - but there are still plenty! The Dutch are a very pragmatic

people, and they are not about to kill off a good earner.

The best coffeeshop in my limited experience (due to shortage of time and research funds) was Willie Wortels in Haarlem, a historic town about 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train. There are three Willie Wortels, run by longtime cannabis activist Nol van Schaik.

They had good space cake, as opposed to another coffeeshop I tried where the cake vaguely threatened to get me high but never got around to it. Get an individually wrapped cake instead of a slice - your chances of getting baked are much better.

Your Amsterdam experience would not be complete without a visit to the Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum. It has a growroom in operation “for information purposes only” and a great collection of books, posters, paraphernalia, mementoes of cannabis freedom fighters and a display on the American drug war that will break your heart if you look at it too long.

I gave the guy on the door a NORML News and he let me in for free. He was very friendly and showed off his tattoo done by a Maori master of the art who visits Amsterdam regularly.

I had five nights in Amsterdam, and I wish I could have stayed longer. It’s full of great art, fascinating museums, historic buildings, houseboats, and bicycles. The bicycle rules - they have right of way and they know it!

Public transport is frequent and reliable, and they actively discourage cars in many parts of the city - how good is that!

Like most places popular with tourists, Amsterdam is expensive. For me it was well worth it. If I had been offered a job as a growroom attendant, I might still be there.

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