High Friends

For years we have kept quiet out of fear of being labeled a criminal. Our movement has faced the harshest of persecution. With herb gardeners and purveyors of this natural remedy locked away for years at a time. Meanwhile, over 10,000 cannabis convictions each year are destroying the careers and travel prospects of thousands of young New Zealanders, undermining our economy.

Hundreds of millions of dollars is wasted by the Government every year on a "War" against cannabis, yet this war has done nothing to diminish cannabis use. On the contrary it has resulted in record numbers of teenagers coming in contact with the black market and gangs.

Cannabis is the "safest therapeutically active substance known" with thousands of years of documented medical benefits. Only in the last century has extreme propaganda and outright lies been used to portray this non-toxic and natural plant as a dangerous drug.

While many are too complacent to talk out against cannabis prohibition, it is our very freedom which is at stake. Image if you could be arrested for growing other herbs or spices in your own garden. This could now happen thanks to the Food Bill and Natural Medicine Bill. However if we speak out against cannabis prohibition now, how can the Government continue to prohibit other plants and natural remedies?

The time for silence is over. Rise up in Protest around New Zealand and Around the World. We are not criminals. Join us for International 420 Day on April 20 and International Joint Day (J-Day) on May 5th.

Furthermore, the Daktory is pursuing ground breaking legal action which could establish a precedent for cannabis clubs to spread around the country. Green Cross President Billy McKee also has a ground-breaking case before a jury later this year regarding the legality of medical cannabis. Join us at five upcoming court protests.

NB: We have every respect for the rule of law and the important role police in maintaining the peace. However, any further arrests of NORML supporters will be meet with the full weight of out legal defense teams, defending all cannabis charges before a Judge or Jury. Every court appearance will be accompanied by a protest outside the court.

It's time to come out of the closet and show you are a proud cannabis user. We will be smoking cannabis at all public protest rallies until cannabis is liberated.

See you there.

Julian Crawford
NORML NZ President

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