Category Archives: NORML

Founding principles of the Conservative Party. Long form.

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In a previous post I made a case that Colin Craig’s Conservative Party (CCCP) fails as a conservative party. Binding citizens initiated referenda and a liberal electorate? It’s a FAIL.

In this post, I critique the principles of the CCCP from a libertarian perspective. I’ll be brief.

Check out the Conservative Party’s founding principles. Here they are, in short form and long form (below).

The Conservative Party has the following beliefs:

A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united New Zealand, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law;

A belief in the institutions of Parliament and the right of citizens to direct government by the democratic process including binding citizens initiated referenda;

A belief in the division of government responsibilities between central and local government;

A belief in the equality of all New Zealanders and that all citizens, regardless of race, gender or religion, have equal rights and privileges;

A belief that the state must ensure the safety of citizens, and seek justice for victims of crime. Offenders should be punished for their offending and, where possible, rehabilitated and required to make good the losses they have caused;

A belief in a balance between fiscal accountability, pragmatic social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;

A belief in a decent society that values life, individual privacy, the freedom of the individual (including freedom of speech, conscience, worship and assembly), the right to defend one’s self and property, the importance of family and the role of civil society;

A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of New Zealand are:

(1) A climate in which individual initiative is rewarded and excellence is pursued;
(2) The freedom of individual New Zealanders to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy;
(3) The freedom of individual New Zealanders to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent; and
(4) The right to own property;

A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion;

A belief that the natural environment and resources of New Zealand should be used responsibly ensuring that future generations inherit an environment that is clean and safe;

A belief that New Zealand should act responsibly among the nations of the world;

A belief that good government should be responsible, accountable and limited, attentive to the people it represents, and whose representatives at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner, displaying integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;

A belief that all New Zealanders should have reasonable access to quality health care and education regardless of their ability to pay.

I’ve emphasised some points in bold.

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It’s a libertarian non-negotiable (and a no-brainer) that the War on Drugs™ must end. My libertarian critique is from the point of view of a drug user. It’s no secret that I’m a drug law reform activist. I’m a member of the ALCP and NORML. And I like to smoke pot. Occasionally.

So, to begin with, there is no such thing as “a balance between … pragmatic social policy and individual rights and responsibilities.” This is either meaningless nonsense or a sad excuse to violate individual rights in the name of “pragmatic social policy”. Here’s an example of the CCCP’s pragmatic social policy.

More controls on alcohol, gambling and drugs

That’s under the heading “Social, Law and Order”. But I just noticed, under the heading “Health”

Natural health products remain widely available with no undue restrictions

What about natural health products that are also drugs, such as cannabis?! I guess I should ask Colin.

Next, the CCCP professes belief “in a decent society that values … the freedom of the individual (including freedom of speech, conscience, worship and assembly).” What about cognitive liberty? Whose mind is it, Colin? Whose business is it if I choose to tweak my endocannabinoid system in the privacy of my own home?

Jesus Christ was not the only one to give us two new commandments. Timothy Leary also gave us two new commandments (“for the molecular age”), viz.

Thou shalt not alter the consciousness of thy fellow men.

Thou shalt not prevent thy fellow man from changing his or her own consciousness.

Christian libertarians follow both Christ and (on this issue) Leary!

Lastly, I have a couple more questions for Colin. Is it in my “enlightened and legitimate self-interest” to smoke pot? And, who are you to say?

Monumental Stoners: Thank Reefer and The KJV for the Enlightenment and Liberty.

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Monumental Stoners.

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“We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth & reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened age & in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man’s religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining & holding the highest offices that are known in the United States.”

~ George Washington, Letter To the members of the New Church of Baltimore (January 22, 1793)

Second Coming (the Return of Chrisf)

At the NORML New Zealand conference at Tokaanu last Saturday, Chris Fowlie was elected unopposed to the position of President. As it is written

And then shall they see the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fowlie coming in a cloud of smoke with power and great glory. (RSG)

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That’s Chris third from the right (at the back) standing behind me on the far right (LOL!) and Phil Saxby second from the right. From NORML’s post-conference press release

Regulate cannabis like alcohol, says reform group

New Zealand should regulate cannabis like alcohol and save at least $300 million per year, says the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc (NORML).

At its weekend conference at Tokaanu, delegates elected Chris Fowlie of Auckland as President, and Phil Saxby of Wellington as Secretary.

Chris Fowlie was previously President of NORML from 1997-2008 during which time NZ came tantalisingly close to cannabis law reform, has owned and managed The Hempstore for 16 years, and regularly appears in court as an independent cannabis expert witness.

NORML is optimistic New Zealand is entering a period where cannabis law reform will finally happen here, and so am I, particularly now that we have competent, committed, convivial people with proven track records of activism such as Chris (and Phil, Billy, Gary, Dakta, …) running the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. It really is high time.

Blowing smoke at Parliament

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Veteran cannabis law reform campaigner Dakta Green’s Armistice Tour culminated in a hikoi on Parliament on Armistice Day, 11 November 2010.

Mr Green said it was called the Armistice Tour because he wanted to stop fighting with the Government over cannabis legislation.

“When two warring parties choose to stop fighting without either side conceeding defeat that’s what an armistice is,” he said.

“We are waving a white flag … we want peace.”

The white flag is the “flag of temporary truce in order to parley.” Inspired by the Armistice Tour, the Wellington branch of NORML started a tradition of White Flag meetings on the first Tuesday of the month when Parliament sits. We convene at the Cenotaph at 12:45 pm, then at 1:00 pm fly the white flag of negotiation to the Richard Sedden statue outside Parliament Buildings. Once there, we pause for a One Minute Silence for the victims of the global War on Drugs. Following that, a few words spoken regarding our actions, and our intentions for these meetings, with a reading of a letter to an MP, and then a photo or two …

At the first white flag meeting on Armistice Day 2010, many of those protesting the War on Drugs™ also celebrated New Zealand’s cannabis culture by smoking cannabis on Parliament grounds. Cannabis campaigners light up at Parliament, reported TV3. But no one was arrested.

Protesters marched to Parliament to demand a law change decriminalising cannabis; it’s a law they have no respect for and one they were quick to break, and all under the watchful eye of police.

“Our role is to make sure this protest is peaceful and everyone gets away on time and in good humour,” said senior sergeant Scott Miller.

Bucket bongs, joints and a pipe lit with a magnifying glass were used to smoke up; there was even a hash cake although the decorator may have eaten some first.

But no matter how much was puffed there was still no movement from police – does this signal a change in stance by police?

“Well that’s not a comment I can make in relation to an overall stance by the police,” Mr Miller said.

Police say it was the Speaker Lockwood Smith’s office who issued the directive to only arrest protesters if they climbed over the barrier or became violent. Those two problems never threatened to fire up.

At today’s White Flag meeting, cannabis campaigners again lit up at Parliament. And no one was arrested. Presumably, the Speaker’s directive is still in force. Anyway, that’s the premise behind regular 4:20 meetings at 4:20 pm every Friday on Parliament lawns. See you there. 🙂

NORML NZ Wellington White Flag Meeting

WHEN?
Today (Tuesday 4 December), 1:00 pm at the Richard Seddon statue.
Assemble in front of Cenotaph at 12:45 pm.

WHERE?
NZ Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

WHY?
To highlight the recommendations of the Law Commission Report on the review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Also, continue to request compassion, and common sense cannabis law reform – and an Armistice to end the War on Drugs.

HOW?
We carry with us, the international symbol for peaceful dialogue – The White Flag. We will walk from the Cenotaph at 01:00pm up to the Richard Sedden statue. Once there, we will pause for a One Minute Silence for the victims of the global War on Drugs. Following that, will be a few words spoken regarding our actions, and our intentions for these meetings, with a reading of the letter, and then a photo or two …

WHAT?
NORML NZ White Flag Meeting. NORML NZ members and also non-members are all welcome, a desire for sensible law reform is all that is required.