Man with terminal cancer ‘breaking the law’ to make cannabis oil

A Taranaki man diagnosed with terminal cancer says while Parliament wrestles with medicinal cannabis law reform he is being forced to live like a criminal.

The father of two, who has agreed to call John, said he has to buy marijuana in dodgy late-night deals in deserted car parks and has to navigate around his children and neighbours to manufacture his own cannabis oil.

He said it helps fight his cancer, alleviates symptoms and allows him to rest. When visited his neat suburban home, John was processing his latest batch of cannabis oil. “Currently I’m distilling some marijuana to make medicinal cannabis oil for myself,” John explained. Manufacturing cannabis oil on the back deck was not something the successful businessman ever imagined himself doing.

“I was diagnosed with a grade 4 GBM brain cancer. I was told 16 months ago I had an average of 14 months to live so I’ve out done that already and I’m still standing here and functioning normally. I have got a few problems but nothing too bad.”

In his early 40s John sold his business and he and his wife, who has agreed to call Sue, turned the focus onto the family and his wellbeing.

After starting with conventional treatments the couple decided, in consultation with John’s oncologist, to try a combination of conventional and alternative therapies.

RNZI