There has been much media interest in Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, which was considered in Parliament today. Voting on the First Reading of the Bill was a conscience issue - in that MPs voted as they saw fit rather than along party lines. The bill was voted down and will not go to select committee for further scrutiny.
Although it was nowhere near perfect I supported the Bill as I thought it was time to debate the issue of whether or not cannabis should be made legal for use in some medical conditions - time for a proper examination of the science.
Under the provisions of the bill those eligible would have become registered users of cannabis and they or their agent would have been permitted to cultivate and possess a small amount of cannabis. Some saw this as a precursor to full legalisation or decriminalisation of cannabis.
There is clear scientific evidence to show that some medical conditions, such as glaucoma, where the condition improved - why should someone go blind unnecessarily when there is a treatment that works? Other conditions - such as the nausea caused by chemotherapy - are brought under control with the use of cannabis.
There were some conditions listed in the schedule that I didn't agree with inclusion in the bill. Depression and schizophrenia were both listed but there are no mental illnesses that are improved by the use of cannabis, and many that are made worse.
Decisions should be based on science. If it can be shown that there is advantage in using cannabis to treat a medical condition, then we should be exploring those options.
Thank you for your support. I
Thank you for your support. I hope this issue can be sucessful in the house at a leter date. I believe many of the concerns could be met by rethinking the process by which patients receive Med pot.
I agree with the idea, but I
I agree with the idea, but I also agree that it had many flaws. I agree that it would be a bad idea for mental illnesses. But this whole idea of patients growing their own cannabis is rediculus, why not just allow doctors (perhaps it could be limited to speciallists in areas that it is used e.g. oncologists) to prescribe proven and specifically designed cannabis medication.
Are people on opiod pain relief grow their own opium poppies?
do you think cannabis should be generally legalised.
I think it could be on condition that:
Banned for indeviduals under 20(or maybe 18)
It is not allowed in the same building that any children (or persons under 18) are living.
It is clearly stated as a criminal offence to give/sell anyone food containing cannabis without the recipients full knowledge.
It is a criminal offence to let cannabis smoke encroach any anyone elses person or property.
Packets must have clear labeling of exactly what is on them, have warnings, like tabacco, and comparable taxation levels to tabbaco.
No use by government employees (or at least not on any work property or with any connection to work)
No hinderance to drug testing of employees if written into contract.
I am totally agree with you,
I am totally agree with you, You wrote a nice post. Keep it up!
As a 57 year old grandmother
As a 57 year old grandmother I cannot believe this wonderful progressive country continues to criminalise sick and dying people.
The recent refusal by government to support the Medical Marijuana Bill and thereby perpetuate this unjust law continues to deprive intimidated, chronically sick people of a useful medication.
I assure you the many people who use marijuana medicinally will continue to do so.
All of my medical advisors confirm they have many patients who use it responsibly and successfully to control a wide variety of conditions. These medical advisors are also aware of the huge body of scientific research that supports these claims.
There are many medications that are used for 'illegal' purposes but we do not withhold them from sick and dying patients.
I nursed my 74 year old mother in her dying days from cancer. All the conventional medication available was not able to ease all her pain and nausea. She asked to try marijuana for the first time in her life. The relief within minutes was visible to all. The first smile to be seen for a long time appeared on her face as we fought back tears at being able to ease her discomfit. A wonderful moment.
In memory of my mother and at her request I will continue to write letters and submissions in the hope that it will help change an unjust law.
I implore you MP's to enable sick and dying patients legal access to this wonderful medication.
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