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New Zealand: Ministry rejects cannabis petition
3News Saturday 10 May 2014 The New Zealand Drug Foundation is disappointed a select committee report suggests no change to the current approach to medical cannabis. The health select committee considered a petition asking it to look at the decriminalisation of cannabis for pain relief and managing symptoms of chronic illness. The petition said unlike opioids cannabis does not need to be taken in increased dosages to maintain pain relief. The Ministry of Health said it was concerned about the use of raw cannabis as it varied greatly in chemical composition and strength. In a report released on Friday, the committee said the Ministry of Health and drug funding agency Pharmac should continue to monitor international evidence about the use and benefits of medical cannabis, but made no other recommendations. "This report offers little relief to the many people who would benefit from a robust medical cannabis regime in New Zealand," New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said. The report also failed to recognise that any health risks from smoking raw cannabis can be mitigated through edible or vaporised alternatives." Pharmaceutical cannabis medicine Sativex had already been approved for use in New Zealand, but was difficult to get and was not subsidised, Mr Bell said. "No one has approval to use raw cannabis, and only 10 people have approval to use Sativex. The application process is a never-ending labyrinth of confusing paperwork." Many other countries and states allowed its use for medicinal purposes, Mr Bell said. "The drug has proven beneficial effects for relieving chronic pain, reducing nausea, improving appetite, improving the quality of life of people undergoing chemotherapy, and relieving muscle spasms." A robust and well regulated cannabis regime had the potential to bring relief to many people, he said. The Drug Foundation was drafting an application to Pharmac to subsidise Sativex, Mr Bell said. http://www.3news.co.nz/Ministry-rejects-cannabis-petition/tabid/423/articleID/343620/Default.aspx#ixzz31aKVIMQx
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