In New Zealand, the possession and use of strains of cannabis that contain the constituent THC (which has psychoactive and pain relieving properties) is currently prohibited the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Submission are currently being called on a proposed amendment to this bill to make it legal for people who are terminally ill to possess cannabis and associated utensils for its use (for example a pipe or vaporiser.)
The amendment to the bill is also intended to end the classification of CBD (a non psychoactive constituent of cannabis) as a controlled drug.
The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Quoting from the parliamentary website:
“This bill would amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 to:
• introduce an exception and a statutory defence for terminally ill people to possess and use illicit cannabis and to possess a cannabis utensil; and
• provide a regulation-making power to enable the setting of standards that products manufactured, imported and supplied under licence must meet; and
• amend Schedule 2 of the Act so that cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD products are no longer classed as controlled drugs.
The measures are intended to improve access to medicinal cannabis, and are guided by the principles of fairness, quality and safety, and compassion.
If you would like to make a submission on the amendment to the bill, please see the link below:
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