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Medicinal cannabis - defending our rights

  • In case you want to bring medical cannabis into NZ...

      5 April 2016

    It took the government a whole month since the verdict in my case... but the Assoc Minister of Health and NZ Customs have both now reversed their previous positions and admitted that we and the judge were right about the law. That is, it is lawful to bring a month's supply of cannabis into NZ, provided it was lawfully supplied overseas and is for the purpose of treating a medical condition.

    Amazing how long it took the authorities to get around to admitting what anyone with a simple command of the English language could ascertain simply from reading the Misuse of Drugs Act.

    This blog by law professor Andrew Geddis sums up the legal journey we've been on:

    http://pundit.co.nz/content/confirmation-importing-some-medical-marijuana-is-lawful

    I will continue to fight for medical cannabis access for everyone. Here's an opinion article I recently wrote reflecting on the status of medical cannabis in NZ:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/opinion/78473764/no-reason-to-delay-medical-cannabis

    Here's a video clip of us discussing the case on TV recently. Hopefully there will be a followup installment in due course, featuring me smiling my head off bringing my cannabis into the country...

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/story/could-loophole-give-kiwis-more-access-to-medicinal-cannabis-2016032219#axzz43iEctiSu

    Not sure how to make the above links active, so you'll have to cut and paste them into your browser just like our grandmothers did in the olden days.

    And again, thank you so, so much everyone for your support. The financial support is a huge help, and the many kind supportive comments have really helped heal the months of stress from being prosecuted.

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  • Where to from here

      30 March 2016
    Main image

    I’ve been touched, blown away, delighted, filled with gratitude and not very surprised by the support for this page. Thank you all!

    I say “not surprised” because in the wake of this case, I’ve become well aware now of how many people – from more diverse backgrounds than I’d previously realised – are passionate and ready for change on this issue.

    As of today, through this website and through private donations that I’ve received outside of it, we have almost totally covered my legal costs! Well, $50 left to go to be exact, but that’s kind of amazing.

    Please do feel free to keep contributing to this funding campaign, though. Since my case went public nearly a month ago, multiple government officials, including a cabinet minister, have made misleading public statements about the law, discouraging people from bringing medicinal cannabis into the country. My attorney has been putting in a fair bit of extra time trying to get government officials to clarify the situation, not for me personally but for the sake of all people who could benefit from this. It would be nice to give her a koha toward her time, as she's pretty much a superhero.

    This issue has been held back too long by the social stigma (and fear of legal repercussions) around discussing cannabis use. One of the unexpected good things to come out of my criminal prosecution, for me, has been the liberation of my voice; I’m no longer afraid to speak out on this issue. But the ones speaking out can’t just be the ones forced into doing so by rough circumstances (severe illness, or getting busted). We need more voices! Democracy is not a spectator sport.

    Oh, and one other fun update: I contacted Kiva Confections, the company who make the medicinal chocolate bars which the police confiscated and never returned me. And the next time I’m in California, Kiva will replace the products that the police took – and with my prescription, I’ll be able to bring them back to NZ! Small victories. Get ready for much bigger ones…it will take some doing, but I am excited to be a part of the change that is coming.

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    • 31/03/2016 by alexis

      I like your words Miss Redwood; especially when you say "But the ones speaking out can’t just be the ones forced into doing so by rough circumstances (severe illness, or getting busted). We need more voices! Democracy is not a spectator sport."

      Kinda glad you got busted & of course not charged :) Kia Kaha Wahine Toa.