Media Release, 11 December 2018

#makeitlegal Campaign Congratulates Medicinal Cannabis Activists

The expected passage of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill this evening has been hailed as a victory for grassroots campaigning, by the #makeitlegal campaign group the Cannabis Referendum Coalition.

“We take our hats off to the many people who have campaigned for this over the years – a number of whom have died waiting for the right to effective medication” says Sandra Murray, Campaign Manager for the #makeitlegal Campaign.

“While we commend the coalition government for making the commitment to pass medical cannabis legislation, and for keeping their word, it is the activists and campaigners who made this happen. It is even more remarkable when you consider that many of them were suffering from chronic and debilitating medical conditions.”

“Even during the legislative process, campaigners had to work hard to get some much-needed amendments to the bill. The bill is still not perfect, but it is quite a bit better from the Government having listened to submitters.”

“New Zealanders will take this as encouragement that we don’t need to be stuck in the past. We are now only 2 steps behind the rest of the world when it comes to sensible cannabis laws and with the upcoming referendum, we are on track to become an example of how to get it right. This legislation is a good start.”

The CRC is a networked coalition of organisations and individuals that has been set up to campaign for a yes vote in the upcoming referendum on cannabis, under the #makeitlegal banner. Following the Coalition’s hugely successful conference in Wellington on November 9, regional groups have been formed throughout the country and are preparing to run a strong grassroots campaign to #makeitlegal.

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