‘Interest in medical use of pot’
Fong: Prospect for relieving pain
WHILE Government says there is no immediate plan to venture into medical marijuana production, Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says there is interest in its use for palliative care pain management.
He made the comment in response to queries from this newspaper.
This newspaper had asked Dr Fong on whether there had been any discussion between the ministry and Government on marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
He said there was possibility for local production but it had to be safeguarded by laws.
“Medicinal marijuana has been used more specifically in managing chronic pain and the side effect of nausea and vomiting in patients on chemotherapy,” said Dr Fong.
“Some in the medical fraternity have expressed interest in using it.
“Production in Fiji is of course a matter beyond that of the medical ministry but can be supported if we have a robust legislative and regulatory framework to support it.”
When approached for a comment on the issue yesterday, Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said there had been no discussions on the issue.
Meanwhile, the idea of cultivating medicinal marijuana for possible export as a means to earn export dollars and boost the economy had been mooted by University of Fiji acting vice-chancellor Shaista Shameem during roundtable discussions recently.
Fiji’s National Development Plan post-COVID-19 discussion forum in Lautoka recently was organised by UniFiji and had academics and stakeholders from the private sector taking part in the forum. When approached for a comment on whether Government had any intentions to cultivate and export medicinal marijuana, a Trade Ministry communication officer said they would not to comment on the issue.