Proposed changes to the Government's medicinal cannabis legislation will mean more people can get access to medicinal cannabis faster.

'This legislation will greatly increase availability of quality medicinal cannabis products, and will allow for their domestic manufacture. It will mean many New Zealanders living in pain will have another option to find relief," says Health Minister David Clark.

During the second reading of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, Dr Clark outlined planned amendments which will be introduced via a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) during the Committee Stage.

The SOP will:

• Alter the eligibility for people who can use the statutory defence for the use of illicit cannabis so that it covers people in palliation (rather than limiting it to the terminally ill in their last 12 months)

• Set a requirement for the regulations for the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme to be made no later than a year after the law comes into effect

• Make clear that varieties of cannabis that are already in New Zealand can be used for medicinal products

• Make technical changes to the description of allowable THC thresholds in CBD medicinal products

'The statutory defence for people who are nearing the end of their live to possess or use illicit cannabis is a compassionate measure to ease suffering and improve quality of life.

'I want to acknowledge New Zealand First for advocating strongly for the defence to be extended to cover anyone in palliation. To put that in perspective, each year about 25,000 New Zealanders could benefit from palliative care.

'Similarly, the Green Party pushed for a requirement to finalise regulations for the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. This will speed up access to a greater range of quality medicinal cannabis products – and it gives those companies looking to develop those products certainty and a clear timeframe.

'These changes strengthen the law and will make it easier for people to get the relief they need. I want to thank both New Zealand First and the Green Party for their constructive approach on this legislation,” says David Clark.

A MORE COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO MEDICINAL CANNABIS

New Zealand First is welcoming changes being made to the medicinal cannabis bill.

The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill returned to Parliament today for its second reading debate.

Hon David Clark, Minister of Health outlined planned amendments which will be introduced via a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) during the Committee Stage. These include a new amendment promoted by New Zealand First which broadens the scope of the exception and statutory defence in the Bill to apply to those in ‘palliation' rather than with 'terminal illness.”

'This is an important language change. We felt that the term palliation was more appropriate. Those requiring palliation are seriously ill, and the focus of treatment is on improving their quality of life,” says New Zealand First spokesperson for Health, Jenny Marcroft.

'There was clear support from public submissions for the exception and statutory defence, and many wanted it to be extended further.

'This change will mean that the number of people the defence will apply to is as many as 25,000 individuals,” she says.

'If the original exception and statutory defence was kept it would only apply to terminally ill people with less than 12 months to live, which would have been difficult to accurately assess.

'New Zealand First welcomes the collaborative effort and consensus which was reached, and thanks the Health Minister for his consideration."