Medicinal cannabis bill’s scope widens

The Government’s medicinal cannabis bill will cover people in palliative care, as well as terminal illness.

It will also allow for native strains to be grown in a regulated market within a year, a change sought by the Green Party. These changes were unveiled yesterday as the bill had its second reading.

The bill sets up a statutory defence so the terminally ill – and now those in palliative care – can consume illicit marijuana. This is intended as a bridging mechanism until a full medicinal cannabis scheme is set up, which will simplify the process. The Green Party wants this to happen no later than a year after the law comes into effect.

Meanwhile, NZ First appears to have pushed for the widening of the bill to those in palliative or end-of-life care.

‘‘I want to acknowledge NZ First for advocating strongly for the defence to be extended to cover anyone in palliation.

‘‘Each year about 25,000 New Zealanders could benefit from palliative care,’’ Health Minister David Clark said.

The definition of ‘‘palliative care’’ and ‘‘terminal illness’’ would be up to doctors. ‘‘These are internationally recognised medical and clinical diagnoses.’’ Clark said the two changes made to the bill were ‘‘MMP-in-action’’.

‘‘The Green Party pushed for a requirement to finalise regulations for the medicinal cannabis scheme. This will speed up access to a greater range of quality medicinal cannabis products – and it gives those companies looking to develop those products certainty and a clear timeframe,’’ Clark said.

The Government is also planning a referendum on personal use of marijuana, at the 2020 election.

The Green Party won this referendum in its confidence and supply agreement with Labour.