27 April 2010
TO: News Media
FROM: NORML New Zealand Inc
Contact Phil Saxby 021 069 4542

 
NORML CONDEMNS POLICE RAIDS AS "MISUSE OF RESOURCES"
Most crime is caused by alcohol and the public are demanding action over P, but today police devoted a huge amount of resources to raiding indoor gardening stores across the country.

 
"It’s a waste of Police time, a misuse of their resources," said Phil Saxby, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "Cannabis is a low-level, Class C drug, used every year by at least 400,000 Kiwis according to the recent Law Commission report."

 
"Don't police have anything better to do?"

 
"How ironic that the Police should choose today to raid multiple home gardening stores, when the Law Commission has just detailed the harms and costs associated with alcohol," said Phil Saxby, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "Alcohol is at Class B level and it’s alcohol, not cannabis, that is causing mayhem on our roads and in our homes."

 
Today's raids included Switched On Gardener stores around the country, Guru Gardener in New Plymouth, Grow & Brew in Silverdale, and many others.

 
"People who believe the police should be devoting more of their time and resources to alcohol - which causes far more harm than cannabis - should make their views known to the Law Commission, which is also undertaking a review of the 35-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act."
NORML has distributed thousands of sample submissions to help people engage in the process, and it's bus is currently touring the North Island raising awareness.

 
"New Zealand already has the highest arrest rate for cannabis offences in the world. That hasn’t stopped us using cannabis and neither will these raids," said Mr Saxby.

 
Submissions on the drug law review close this Friday, 30th of April. They can be made on the internet at the website
www.talklaw.co.nz

 
The next day, Saturday 1st of May, NORML will celebrate the 19th annual J Day, with free events planned in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

 
For more info see
www.norml.org.nz
& www.talklaw.co.nz

 
…. ends
 
 
National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Zealand Inc.
PO Box 3307 Shortland St Auckland 1015 New Zealand
Tel 09 302 5255 Fax 09 303 1309 info@norml.org.nz www.norml.org.nz
Media release