The Green Party is supporting the government's medicinal cannabis legislation introduced to Parliament, but says it should also be extended to those who suffer from chronic pain and other medical conditions.
The legislation will remove cannabidiol from the schedule of controlled drugs, as well as introduce a medicinal cannabis scheme to enable access to medical-grade cannabis products.
Green Party drug law reform spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick today said in a statement that while the bill is an improvement, it doesn't quite go far enough.
"This Bill represents a significant improvement from the status quo and delivers on the promise to legislate for medicinal cannabis ... it represents the consensus view across the governing parties," Ms Swarbrick said.
Labour’s David Clark has spoken on today's bill to improve access of medicinal cannabis for people with terminal illnesses. (Source: Other)
"We will vote to improve access to medicinal cannabis, but we are disappointed the Bill does not provide coverage to all people suffering from conditions who could benefit from its use, limiting access to a legal defence to only those with a terminal illness.
"Parliament has the opportunity to improve the Bill through the select committee process and through supporting my Member’s Bill, which offers sick New Zealanders better access to medicinal cannabis pain relief.
"The Green Party has always campaigned for a compassionate approach to medicinal cannabis, and as a partner of the Government we want to see this done right.
"We are encouraging New Zealanders who want to see the Bill widened to include sufferers of chronic pain and other medical conditions to make their voice heard at the select committee."
An unscientific poll conducted on the 1 NEWS Facebook page suggested that about 9/10 readers, from a total of about 1400, agreed the law should be widened to include those in chronic pain.
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