Norml AGM revitalises cannabis movement

A new board of directors has revitalised the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, its incoming president says.

Norml held its annual conference at Tapu te Ranga marae in Wellington the weekend before last, with members travelling from around the country to attend.

A highlight of the conference was a presentation by drug councillor Roger Brooking, who performs drug assessments in prisons.

Mr Brooking has written a book about the lack of drug treatment programmes in prison called Flying Blind.

"The corrections department spend more money on their uniforms than they spend on drug treatment programmes," he said.

During the formal AGM, Phil Saxby stood down as Norml's acting president but remains on the board in the role of secretary.

Freelance journalist Julian Crawford was elected as the president of Norml.

Mr Crawford said he was looking forward to the role.

"The first thing I will be doing is contacting all 121 MPs to clarify their position on cannabis."

"There is no justification for prohibition in a free society and MPs that support prohibition are violating individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by the common law," he said.

Dunedin Botanist Abe Gray was elected as the vice-president of Norml.

Former Norml President Chris Fowlie was elected as treasurer of Norml.

Blogger Will de Cleene was elected as web editor.

Mt Eden inmate Dakta Green was elected as direct action co-ordinator.

GreenCross president Billy McKee was elected as the medical marijuana representative of Norml.

Former New Lynn candidate Sean Norris-Davidson was elected as Norml's Auckland representative.

Activist Geoff Clarke was elected as Norml's Wellington based parliamentary lobbyist.

ENDS

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