Published: 1 March 2018

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Medicinal Cannabis Update

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Prescriber Update 39(1): 5
March 2018

The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament on 20 December 2017, as part of the Government’s 100 Day Plan, to introduce legislation to improve access to medicinal cannabis for terminally ill people and those in chronic pain. The intent of the Bill is to improve access to affordable cannabis products made to a quality standard.

The proposed changes are intended to strengthen the existing therapeutic model and improve access to medicinal cannabis based on principles of fairness, quality and safety, and compassion. The Bill is now progressing through the Parliamentary process and is anticipated to take up to a year, so any changes would come into force from 2019 onwards. An advisory committee will be established and consultation on the Bill will be undertaken.

The Bill includes:

• compassionate measures for those that are terminally ill
• a regulation-making power to enable quality standards to be set for medicinal cannabis products available on prescription
• descheduling cannabidiol as a controlled drug.

For information on the current process for prescribing medicinal cannabis products, up to date information on the Bill and the Government's proposed Medicinal Cannabis Scheme please see our website (www.health.govt.nz).