[9 December/NZ Herald]
A recent survey of 2000 New Zealanders suggests new cannabis laws do not extend far enough. The survey was conducted by Horizon Research, between November 27 and December 6, concludes Kiwis want broader access to medicinal marijuana and for cannabis-derived products to be regulated like other medicines. In late November, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill passed its second reading and is expected to come into effect this week. Once in effect, the updated law will extend the use of medicinal cannabis to all people needing palliative relief. The survey suggests Kiwis want cannabis to be treated the same as any other medicine and also permitted as a treatment for a range of other conditions, which aren’t necessarily life-threatening such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety and arthritis. Paul Manning, the director of cannabis startup, Helius Therapeutics, commissioned the study to learn more about local attitudes to medicinal cannabis. He suggested the study indicates that New Zealanders want a more comprehensive law than the one likely to be passed next week.
