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Resolutions of the Cannabis Referendum Conference

Resolutions of the Cannabis Referendum Conference, held at the James Cook Hotel, Wellington, on Friday 9 November 2018

This Conference:

Commends the Coalition Government for its intention to hold a referendum on the legal status of cannabis at or before the next election.

Expects that all political parties and all Members of Parliament commit to enacting the outcomes of the referendum in good faith.

Proposes that the referendum be worded to test public support for two separate questions: that adults be allowed to grow and possess cannabis for personal use, and be allowed to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from licensed premises.

Calls for a properly resourced public discussion to provide impartial and accurate information to help the public make an informed decision.

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#makeitlegal Cannabis Referendum Conference 2018

#makeitlegal

Cannabis Referendum Conference 2018
Friday November 9, Wellington
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Featuring MPs Chlöe Swarbrick, Greg O’Connor and Ginny Anderson; Rebecca Reider, Dr Eric Crampton, Manu Caddie, Dr Fiona Hutton, Nandor Tanczos and the Cannabis Coalition team with more speakers and full timetable to be announced.

Registration fee includes lunch & tea/coffee breaks. Registrations here: https://eventfinda.co.nz/2018/cannabis-referendum-conference-2018/wellington

Presented by the Cannabis Referendum Coalition with support from NORML NZ, The Hemp Foundation, Socialist Aotearoa, People Against Prisons, Auckland Patients Group.

The Cannabis Referendum Coalition invites serious advocates and campaigners to join us in Wellington for our inaugural conference – to learn and plan with common purpose so we can win the upcoming referendum on legalising cannabis.

Limited Concession prices available at the discretion of CRC. Please apply via email sandra@zenzic.nz with your reasoning and application for a concession ticket code.

We can change the law – help #MakeItLegal

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Donate to CRC on Give-a-little

Help us get a strong YES vote in the upcoming Cannabis Referendum.

The Cannabis Referendum Coalition is a network of individuals and organisations campaigning for cannabis law reform.

We exist to run a referendum campaign to get a strong YES vote in the upcoming Cannabis Referendum. A strong vote for progressive cannabis law reform will help politicians make better legislation for managing cannabis. Our campaign will run under the banner #makeitlegal

This Givealittle page will help us raise the funds we need to do that.

Why do we need law reform? It’s no secret the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 does not stop people using cannabis, but it does stop people getting help for health problems, undermines the relationship between the public and the police, and forces cannabis users to interact with drug dealers who cross-market their products (would you like ‘P’ with that tinnie?”).

New Zealand is well overdue for a change to our drug laws and the time is now.

All over the world, countries are moving to change their drug laws so that cannabis is dealt with as a health issue, not a crime. Portugal, Canada, Colorado, and California are leading and positive examples of why change is a good thing, with law reform leading to reduced drug use and drug related crime, better healthcare available to people who need it, and fewer people in prison for harmless drug incidents.

Helen Clark – a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy which aims to reform drug policy in order to reduce societal harm – has stated “I believe that drug policy needs to evolve from a substance-based to a people-centred approach. Harm reduction, prevention, and evidence-based treatment have shown their effectiveness around the world. I have witnessed this from New Zealand to Belarus. Now is the time to address the policy barriers to better outcomes.”

While we don’t get to tell the government what we want in a referendum question, we think the government should commit to action the outcome of the referendum. We also want the most progressive question possible – and think this may mean the question needs to have two parts – something like:

  • Part 1: Should adults be allowed to possess and grow cannabis?
  • Part 2: Should adults be able to buy cannabis in licensed premises?

What happens to your donation?

Funds will be paid to a verified bank account of NORML (an Incorporated Society) on behalf of Cannabis Referendum Coalition.

Campaign funds will be used for activities to promote the upcoming cannabis referendum and the #makeitlegal campaign e.g. publicity, campaigning, marketing, research and polling. If we raise sufficient funds we will be able to employ a campaign manager and other key people. Having dedicated, skilled campaigners will increase our chances of achieving law reform.

Campaign funds will be managed by the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws via a dedicated bank account allocated to the Coalition. NORML has the pre-existing structures and systems to ensure funds are managed legally and ethically.

Donate here

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About the Cannabis Referendum Coalition

The Cannabis Referendum Coalition is a network of individuals and organisations campaigning for cannabis law reform. Our campaign will educate and inform the New Zealand public about the Cannabis Referendum – and achieve cannabis law reform.

Our purpose is to get a high percentage of voters to: a) turn out and vote; and b) vote YES to progressive law reform, whatever the question

The coalition intends to operate as a networked campaign. This means CRC partners may run their own campaigns, and hold their own key messages while still working co-operatively with other law reform groups who might have slightly different messages (for example – support for grow your own or opposition to grow your own).

Within a networked campaign, partners have opportunities to support each other’s campaign activities – mobilising cross supporter action with greater reach and engagement than an individual group could achieve alone.

The Coalition will also run the #makeitlegal campaign – enabling partner organisations that are not traditionally cannabis law reform groups to still show their support for law reform without having to run a campaign themselves.

The coalition and its partners will work to educate the public on key points around cannabis law reform – such as the issue of whether people should be able to grow their own and what a regulated market might mean. This includes media articles, social media campaigns and helping inform the media so they can present accurate information.

Our core organizers will train and activate remote leaders who, in turn, will guide teams of supporters – building their capacity. Our local teams will fundraise, educate, organise gigs and events, and carry out on-the-ground campaigning during the run up to the referendum – being a visible presence in communities to provide information to voters to help inform their voting decision.

Our Mandate:

At our Cannabis Referendum Conference on the 9th November 2018, the conference accepted four resolutions. We take these as our mandate for our campaign.

This Conference:

  • Commends the Coalition Government for its intention to hold a referendum on the legal status of cannabis at or before the next election.
  • Expects that all political parties and all Members of Parliament commit to enacting the outcomes of the referendum in good faith.
  • Proposes that the referendum be worded to test public support for two separate questions: that adults be allowed to grow and possess cannabis for personal use, and be allowed to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from licensed premises.
  • Calls for a properly resourced public discussion to provide impartial and accurate information to help the public make an informed decision.

Cannabis Referendum Coalition Steering Committee:

Sandra Murray (CRC co-ordinator)
Nandor Tanczos (ex Green Party)
Chris Fowlie (NORML)
Mike Finlayson (Regional Councillor)
Rebecca Reider (Patient Representative)
Dr Geoff Noller (Medical Anthropologist)
Phil Saxby (MMP/Political Campaigner)
Michael Tucker (Loop/Think INC)

We also have representatives from our partner and supporting organisations including:

Supporting organisations are welcome to join the coalition to indicate their support for cannabis law reform – commitment is as much or as little as your organisation wants to put into it. For more information on becoming a coalition partner please contact sandra@zenzic.nz