We welcome proposed law changes around the use of medicinal cannabis and are heartened that this is being approached as a health issue. However, DPA is disappointed that the proposed amendment does not apply to disabled people who experience chronic pain, muscle spasms, medication-induced nausea, epilepsy or other conditions where medicinal cannabis is indicated as a treatment.
We submitted our response to the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill on March 21 and DPA Policy and Relationships Manager Henrietta Bollinger will be speaking to our submission tomorrow morning.
DPA recommendations:
- that PHARMAC fund cannabinoid drugs at a level which makes them accessible to those who would benefit from them.
- that the proposed Bill be extended to include disabled people who are approved for medicinal cannabis use.
- that the proposed Bill be amended to address the issue of possession and supply of medicinal cannabis by support people, with the understanding that it could take several years to propagate a sustainable, local stock of regulated medicinal cannabis.
DPA recognises the expertise of the New Zealand Drug Foundation and endorses their submission on this work.
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