The Question of Cannabis

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.