Survey shows public backs medicinal cannabis use

AUCKLAND: A majority of New Zealanders say medicinal cannabis should be allowed to treat chronic pain, sleep disorders and other conditions, according to a new poll.

The Horizon Research poll, which was commissioned by fledgling medicinal cannabis producer Helius Therapeutics, comes just before a Bill is expected to pass that will allow the use of medicinal cannabis for people who need palliative relief.

The Misuse of Drugs (Med icinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill is expected to pass on tomorrow with the support of all coalition parties.

The poll, which canvassed the views of 2105 adults, showed support for medicinal cannabis to be allowed for a range of conditions.

A total of 68% agreed its use should be allowed for chronic pain, 65% said it could be used for sleep disorders, 58% for cancer, 52% for epilepsy, 50% for multiple sclerosis, 49% for anxiety, and 48% for arthritis.

The poll, which had a margin of error of 2.1%, also found that 38% of respondents would themselves use medicinal cannabis for chronic pain.

Close to 75% of respondents agreed that medicinal cannabis should be treated the same as any other medicine. And 59% agreed that doctors and nurse practitioners should be able to issue ‘‘medicinal cannabis cards’’ so patients could access cannabis products from pharmacists without prescription.

Helius Therapeutics executive director Paul Manning said the survey showed New Zealanders wanted a more compre hensive law than was likely to pass tomorrow.

He hoped MPs would agree to lastminute changes before the Bill passed instead of leaving it to health officials to create the regulatory framework that would determine who could prescribe medicinal cannabis and who could use it.

Mr Manning said there was overwhelming support for changes similar to those contained in National MP Shane Reti’s member’s Bill on medicinal cannabis.

Health Minister David Clark yesterday said Mr Reti’s pro posals had been considered and rejected on the advice of health officials and clinicians.

‘‘Our Bill strikes the right balance to ensure access to cannabisbased medicines based on patient need. I expect our Bill to pass its third reading on Tuesday, the legislative schedule allowing,’’ he said in a statement.

The Government Bill requires regulations for a medicinal cannabis scheme to be made no later than a year after the law comes into effect. There will be further consultation on those. — NZME