Otago NORML

Otago NORML logo.^[1]

Otago University NORML (also known as simply Otago NORML or NORML Dunedin) is a pro cannabis law reform student club at the University of Otago, affiliated to the Otago University Students Association^[2]. It is not officially related to the national New Zealand cannabis law reform organisation NORML New Zealand or the international organisation NORML, based in the US, however the three organisations do interact at an unofficial level.

Most members are students or recent graduates of the University of Otago in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. The club operates out of the OUSA Clubs and Societies Centre and meets twice weekly on the Otago University Union Lawn (Walnut Tree).

History

Otago NORML has been active in various forms for many years.

1980s

1990s

Otago University Pharmacology Professor Fred Fastier investigates cannabis use and cannabis control in New Zealand^[3]

2000s

In 2000 OUSA passed a motion at an SGM that the association would officially support cannabis law reform in New Zealand.^[4]

In 2003 numerous members of Otago NORML marched to the Dunedin Central Police Station and hot-boxed the main foyer as part of the annual 'J-Day' protest. Around 50 people smoked cannabis inside the police station, resulting in no arrests. Cannabis plants were also planted in the front garden of the station]. When asked about their inaction in the Otago Daily Times, Inspector Dave Campbell of the Dunedin Police said they 'had better things to do'.^[5]

In 2004 the Dunedin Police Station was again hotboxed, this time by around 100 people, again resulting in no arrests^[6]. Weekly cannabis smoking sessions were initiated on the Otago University campus^[7].

In 2006 more motions were passed through OUSA at a Students General Meeting '...that OUSA declares the University campus a 'Prohibition Free Zone' where prohibition of cannabis shall not apply', and 'that OUSA condones the public smoking of cannabis on University grounds as a protest against cannabis prohibition'^[8].

In 2007 the University's Campus Watch security were called to remove the group. However, the protesters stood their ground.^[9]. In the same year, the OUSA passed a motion to 'recognise and publicise the knowledge that alcohol use is more harmful than cannabis use'^[10].

In 2008 the first annual Cannabis Awareness Week was held and the Otago NORML stated they had unofficially renamed Dunedin 'Dunsterdam'^[7]. As a result the University invited undercover Police on to campus to surveil and attempt to disrupt Otago NORML's activities^[11].

In September 2008 the group were the focus of campus wide attention over their initiative to instate a Cannabis Law Reform Representative on Otago University Students Association executive and to have the Association build an elevated 'smokers balcony' as part of the redevelopment of their Clubs and Societies Centre^[12]. There was considerable backlash against these initiatives and the final agenda for the Student General Meeting, held on September 25, saw numerous motions seeking to remove official OUSA support for the group. The meeting was over 2 hours long and over 270 Association members were in attendance, one of the largest turnouts for an SGM in the association's history^[13]. In the end no motions were passed and the status quo was maintained, except for that the motion to 'recognise and publicise the knowledge that alcohol use is more harmful than cannabis use' was rescinded^[13].

Cannabis protests

The group meets every Wednesday and Friday at 4:20pm to smoke cannabis as an act of protest against 'New Zealand's cannabis prohibition laws'. Over the last 5 years this practise has continued for, two people associated have been arrested at the event^[14][15]. The group was placed under surveillance by the Dunedin Police Tactical Response Group prior to May 2008 as part of the 2008 Otago NORML protests^[16]. The fifth anniversary of the '420' protests was held on September 11, 2009 and was briefly attended by Police, but no arrests were made.

Annual events

J-Day

J-Day is held on the first Saturday in May of every year in the Octagon. The event is a protest/rally including guest speakers, music, games and more, usually running from 'High Noon' to '4:20'. A popular tradition is to smoke a cross-joint as well as the 24 ft bong contest.

Cannabis Awareness Week

Cannabis Awareness Week is a week long programme of guest speakers, workshops, lectures, protests, movie screenings and other related events designed to educate the students of Otago University and the wider Dunedin community about the cannabis plant and people who use it^[7].

Merry Cannabis

Merry Cannabis is a 'Summer J-Day' held in December at various locations around New Zealand, depending on the summer itineraries of Otago NORML members.

Publications

NORML News

NORML News is the official magazine of NORML New Zealand. It features news, politics, stories, pictures of marijuana, tips on growing marijuana and photos from events/activities. Members of Otago University NORML frequently contribute original articles.

'Overgrown' Radio

Overgrown is a Cannabis Law Reform themed radio show hosted by members of Otago NORML on University of Otago's student radio station Radio One (91.0 FM in Dunedin, New Zealand, worldwide via interner). It airs live on Friday evenings from 9:00&nbps;pm to 11 pm (New Zealand time).^[17] Archived shows can be downloaded from the Otago NORML website.

See also

• Cannabis in New Zealand

References

1. ^ "Dopius Maximus". Critic Te Arohi Magazine 24: 15. 15 September 2008. 
2. ^ "OUSA Clubs and Societies Wiki". OUSA. http://wiki.ousa.org.nz/index.php/OUSA_Societies. Retrieved 2008-09-20. 
3. ^ "Alternative Systems of Cannabis Control in New Zealand (Appendix D Drugs and the Law in New Zealand)". NZ Drug Policy Forum Trust. July 1997. http://www.ukcia.org/research/nz-can.htm. 
4. ^ Critic Te Arohi Magazine, September 2008, Planet Media
5. ^ "Cannabis protest ignored by police". Otago Daily Times. 5 May 2003. 
6. ^ Otago Daily Times, 6 May 2004
7. ^ ^{a b c} "Welcome to Dunsterdam". NORML News. Spring 2007. http://www.otagonorml.com/node/57. 
8. ^ Critic Te Arohi Magazine, July 2006
9. ^ "Dope Heads on Campus". TV One Close Up. 27 July 2007. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/1256786. 
10. ^ "Looks like we won't be drinking at the new stadium". Critic Te Arohi Magazine. September 2007. http://www.critic.co.nz. 
11. ^ "University backs police". Otago Daily Times. 24 July 2008. http://www.odt.co.nz/on-campus/university-otago/14609/university-backs-police. 
12. ^ Critic Te Arohi Magazine, August 2008
13. ^ ^{a b} Critic Te Arohi Magazine, October 2008
14. ^ Dunsterdam fights back, Spring 2008, NORML News
15. ^ "Students to storm Campus Watch". Otago Daily Times. 28 May 2008. http://www.odt.co.nz/source/nzpa/7506/students-storm-campus-watch. 
16. ^ "Drug crackdown riles students". TV One News. 23 July 2008. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1935765. 
17. ^ "Radio One Programme - Friday". www.r1.co.nz. http://www.r1.co.nz/programme.php?day=Friday. Retrieved 2009-01-21. 

External links

• Otago NORML
• NORML New Zealand