1. Medicinal Cannabis Reform Workshop
Have Your Say
Ross Bell, Executive Director
Kali Mercier, Policy and Advocacy Manager

3. Select Committee Chairperson Louisa Wall Labour Party
Deputy-Chairperson
Shane Reti
National Party
Jonathan Coleman
National Party
Liz Craig
Labour Party
Matt Doocey
National Party
Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki
Labour Party
Nicky Wagner
National Party
Angie Warren-Clark
Labour Party

4. NZ views on the use of medicinal cannabis
78 percent of New Zealanders think growing and using cannabis for any medical reason, such as to alleviate pain, should not result in criminal penalties

5. What do we know about medicinal cannabis?
Conclusive or substantial evidence that cannabinoids are effective for:
chronic pain
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms
Moderate evidence that cannabinoids are effective for:
improving sleep for those who have sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis.
Limited evidence that cannabinoids are effective for:
Loss of appetite (HIV/AIDs); Tourette’s symptoms; anxiety disorders, PTSD
United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2017

6. Ministry of Health prescribing categories
Approved pharmaceutical grade cannabis product (i.e. Sativex, for MS patients): neurologist can prescribe
Pharmaceutical grade products that are not approved for use in NZ (and Sativex for non-MS patients): MoH must approve prescription
Non-pharmaceutical grade cannabis products: MoH must approve prescription
Cannabidiol (CBD) products: doctor may prescribe

7. Current barriers to access
Lack of products available
Cost of those that are available
Medical profession – lack of knowledge / enthusiasm
Legality

8. Two medicinal cannabis bills
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
Would have legalised cultivation, purchase, possession and use of cannabis and cannabis products for people suffering from a debilitating condition or terminal illness
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill

9. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill
Paves the way for domestic production of medicinal cannabis
Terminally ill people are safe from prosecution
CBD and CBD products are de-scheduled

10. Government intentions for medicinal cannabis
develop domestic cultivation and manufacture of products
set up an agency to oversee cultivation of cannabis
develop minimum quality standards for products
(temporary) defence for terminally ill patients using botanical cannabis
set up an advisory committee to advise on prescribing process
increase accessibility / affordability
CBD and CBD products are de-scheduled

11. Key areas for Drug Foundation submission on the Bill
A regulatory scheme will be set up, but the bill provides no information on what this looks like
The statutory defence only applies to terminal patients themselves, not their support people
Patients with other conditions, including severe pain, aren’t covered by the defence
The statutory defence lets patients obtain or consume cannabis, but not cultivate it.

12. International models Israel High-quality research
A full range of products available, using whole plant
Allowable conditions - cancer, PTSD and pain (e.g. MS)
Canada
Buy from a licensed producer via mail order
Small quantities can be grown at home or by a designated person (you must register with Health Canada to do this)

13. International models USA Illegal at federal level
29 states have legalised medicinal cannabis
Australia
Two prescribing schemes (Authorised Prescriber and Special Access)
NSW - compassionate use scheme for terminally ill
New regulatory framework for cultivation – three years in the making

14. Questions?
nzdrug.org/medicinal-cannabis-submissions

15. Eight Point Plan for Action on Alcohol-Influencing the policy debate