Medicinal Cannabis Reform Workshop Have Your Say Ross Bell, Executive Director Kali Mercier, Policy and Advocacy Manager

Select Committee Chairperson Louisa Wall Labour Party Deputy-Chairperson Shane Reti National Party Jonathan Coleman National Party Liz Craig Labour Party Matt Doocey National Party Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki Labour Party Nicky Wagner National Party Angie Warren-Clark Labour Party

NZ views on the use of medicinal cannabis 78 percent of New Zealanders think growing and using cannabis for any medical reason, such as to alleviate pain, should not result in criminal penalties

What do we know about medicinal cannabis? Conclusive or substantial evidence that cannabinoids are effective for: chronic pain chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms Moderate evidence that cannabinoids are effective for: improving sleep for those who have sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Limited evidence that cannabinoids are effective for: Loss of appetite (HIV/AIDs); Tourette’s symptoms; anxiety disorders, PTSD United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2017

Ministry of Health prescribing categories Approved pharmaceutical grade cannabis product (i.e. Sativex, for MS patients): neurologist can prescribe Pharmaceutical grade products that are not approved for use in NZ (and Sativex for non-MS patients): MoH must approve prescription Non-pharmaceutical grade cannabis products: MoH must approve prescription Cannabidiol (CBD) products: doctor may prescribe

Current barriers to access Lack of products available Cost of those that are available Medical profession – lack of knowledge / enthusiasm Legality

Two medicinal cannabis bills Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill Would have legalised cultivation, purchase, possession and use of cannabis and cannabis products for people suffering from a debilitating condition or terminal illness Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill

Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill Paves the way for domestic production of medicinal cannabis Terminally ill people are safe from prosecution CBD and CBD products are de-scheduled

Government intentions for medicinal cannabis develop domestic cultivation and manufacture of products set up an agency to oversee cultivation of cannabis develop minimum quality standards for products (temporary) defence for terminally ill patients using botanical cannabis set up an advisory committee to advise on prescribing process increase accessibility / affordability CBD and CBD products are de-scheduled

Key areas for Drug Foundation submission on the Bill A regulatory scheme will be set up, but the bill provides no information on what this looks like The statutory defence only applies to terminal patients themselves, not their support people Patients with other conditions, including severe pain, aren’t covered by the defence The statutory defence lets patients obtain or consume cannabis, but not cultivate it.

International models Israel High-quality research A full range of products available, using whole plant Allowable conditions - cancer, PTSD and pain (e.g. MS) Canada Buy from a licensed producer via mail order Small quantities can be grown at home or by a designated person (you must register with Health Canada to do this)

International models USA Illegal at federal level 29 states have legalised medicinal cannabis Australia Two prescribing schemes (Authorised Prescriber and Special Access) NSW - compassionate use scheme for terminally ill New regulatory framework for cultivation – three years in the making

Questions? nzdrug.org/medicinal-cannabis-submissions

Eight Point Plan for Action on Alcohol-Influencing the policy debate