New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Bill Passes 3rd Reading

Radio NZ reports, “The legislation lays the groundwork for a medicinal cannabis industry with regulations to be in place within a year.”

The bill passed its third reading on Tuesday (11 Dec)  afternoon with the support of Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens.

Health Minister David Clark said until a regime was set up, the legislation would help people ease their suffering with a wider range of medicinal cannabis products becoming available over time.

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The bill will introduce a statutory defence – or amnesty – as a stop-gap measure to allow people at the end of their lives to use illicit cannabis while the scheme is still being established.

Last month, Dr Clark said all palliative care patients would be allowed to use illicit cannabis without fear of legal repercussions after the government announced an expansion to its medicinal cannabis legislation.

“This is the most progressive legislation that has ever been passed through this House for the supply and access to medicinal cannabis products,” Dr Clark said.

“It’s about cultivation, cannabidiol and compassion, I’m very proud to commend this bill to the House.”

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The legislation includes the creation of a medicinal cannabis scheme to regulate and set quality standards of products both imported and made here.

It also removes cannabidiol from the schedule of controlled drugs, meaning the products will be much easier to purchase.

Read the full NZ Radio report at  https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/378034/medicinal-cannabis-bill-passes-final-hurdle-in-parliament

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