MEDIA RELEASE – 4 APRIL 2000 – FOR IMMEDIATE USE

NORML NZ In Association With The INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS CAMPAIGN Presents

INTERNATIONAL J-DAY

SAT MAY 6 2000: CANNABIS LAW REFORM RALLIES TO BE HELD IN AT LEAST 82 CITIES INCLUDING AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON

Last year on Saturday, May 1st, 1999, cannabis activists from around the world stood up and declared with one voice their solidarity in opposition to the international war on cannabis. This year, an estimated one million people will be in the streets for the largest single direct action for the reform of cannabis law in the history of the world!

"With the Labour Government promising a review of the law, the time has come for supporters of cannabis law reform to stand up and be counted. There is no question that cannabis prohibition does not work, and that we must reform this unjust and counter-productive law. The question is what do we replace it with - a policy that works, or one that is politically expedient?" said event organiser and New Zealand spokesperson for NORML, Mr Chris Fowlie.

"The Police spend over $20 million every year arresting about 15,000 people on 25,000 cannabis charges, the majority of which involve personal use and possession. New Zealand's shocking cannabis arrest rate is the highest in the world on a population basis.

"Instant fines across the Tasman have been shown to be little different to prohibition. The number of people caught and put through the courts has actually increased, just like speed cameras here catch more drivers but do little to stop people speeding."

"In contrast, Europe is increasingly moving towards proper decriminalisation - the right to grow your own cannabis without any penalty. The UK Police Foundation has just recommended the ‘depenalisation’ of cannabis, while Switzerland has just legalised cannabis.

"The Netherlands is reaping the rewards of twenty years of defacto legalisation. The Dutch now have a cannabis use rate that must make local anti-cannabis campaigners green with envy. Only 15% of the Dutch adult population and 12% of adolescents have ever tried cannabis, while our rates are 52% of adults and 25% of those under 17, exploding the myth that law reform will lead to increased use of cannabis." (Source: University of Amsterdam 1999, University of Auckland Alcohol & Public Health Research Unit 1999)

Join us for a day of protest on SATURDAY, MAY 6th, 2000 - Marches in over 90 cities, 19 countries, on six continents worldwide, including in Auckland and Wellington:

Auckland: Albert Park, High Noon to 6pm Speakers include Nandor Tanczos MP, NORML’s Chris Fowlie, and entertainment from King Kapisi, Cuba & Gizmo, The Kingites, Jesse James, Dave Gideon, Slowdeck, & more.

Wellington: Frank Kitts Park, High Noon to 5pm Speakers include Tim Barnett MP, ALCP leader Michael Appleby, and entertainment from the Radio Active Home Base crew, DJ Lemon, the Blackseeds and more.

Proudly supported by Radio Active 89FM, Cannabis Culture Magazine, the Switched On Gardener and The Hempstore Aotearoa.

For further information please contact NORML NZ: Event organiser: Chris Fowlie 025 297 6843 Phone 09 302-5255 Fax 09 303-1309 E-mail norml@apc.org.nz Web: http://www.norml.org.nz

STOP ALL CANNABIS ARRESTS - STOP THE LIES - RELEASE THE MEDICINE HEAL THE SICK - END THE PRISON STATE - CURES NOT WARS!

INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS: www.cannabis2000.com/mmm1_4.htm

Adelaide, Albuquerque, Amsterdam, Atlanta, Auckland, Austin, Barcelona, Belo Horizonte, Berlin, Berne, Birmingham, Bologna, Boston, Burlington, Camden, Cassopolis, Castries, Chapel Hill, Chicago, Chico, Cleveland, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Duesseldorf, Edinburgh, Eugene, Eureka, Flint, Frankenthal, Grand Forks, B.C., Grand Rapids, Hamburg, Hilo, Houston, Kansas City, Kingston, Johannesburg, Lansing, Lisbon, Louisville, London, Los Angeles, Lubbock, Lyons, Madison, Madrid, Maribor, Melbourne, Mindelo, Minneapolis, Montpelier, Montreal, Moscow, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Omaha, Oklahoma City Oslo, Portland, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Sao Paulo, Seattle, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tel Aviv, Telluride, Toronto, Traverse City, Trier, Tucson, Utrecht, Vancouver, Vienna, Washington D.C., Wellington, Windsor, Zagreb and more still to be confirmed!

International telephone communication: NYC 212-677-7180 - ATLANTA 404-522-2267 (Fax 523-9004) LONDON +44-171-637-7467 - BERLIN +49-302-472-0233

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