Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2003
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/otago
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Author: NZPA Political Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/New+Zealand
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

STATUS OF CANNABIS FOR FRESH COMMITTEE LOOK AT MEDICINAL USE ADVOCATED

Wellington: A parliamentary committee had recommended
the Government consider allowing doctors to prescribe
cannabis for medicinal purposes but has been unable to
agree on the drug's legal status.

The health committee said that question should be considered by
another parliamentary committee.

It said high levels of cannabis use and black market activity
indicated the current prohibition regime was not working.

A key recommendation in its 80-page report is that the Government
consider allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis products for medicinal
purposes.

Chairwoman Steve Chadwick said clinically tested products such as
tablets and sprays could be prescribed.

This would mean people who suffered chronic illnesses - such as
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, terminal cancer and epilepsy - would
not have to "get high on pot" to get the relief provided by the
medically active components in cannabis, she said.

The committee's brief, when it started its three-year investigation
into the health effects of cannabis, was to find the most effective
strategies to minimise the use of the drug and evaluate the harm it
caused.

It found there was no evidence to suggest harmful effects for the
majority of occasional recreational cannabis users.

"However, harmful acute and chronic effects of cannabis use are
associated with frequent and heavier use."

It said the Government needed to develop policy to reverse the trend
for increasing consumption of cannabis by young people.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin