Indopedia All Things Marijuana
After over a half-year of waiting, it finally looks like New Zealand will get a medical marijuana bill introduced this week.
In a trickle of empathy in June, Health Minister Peter Dunne announced that doctors in the Kiwi nation were allowed to prescribe CBD for conditions including epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, among others.
Since that historic moment in time, the fires of cannabis reform were stoked and both the New Zealand government and its people seemed ready to embrace the medicine.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed during a press conference Monday that a medical marijuana bill would be introduced into parliament in the next few days.
The bill would amend New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act to exempt medical cannabis users with a valid prescription. The exemption would also apply to an immediate family member or other nominated individuals who may need to administer the medicine in some cases.
A previous private members bill introduced by the New Zealand Green Party on June 9 will not be the legislation used by the Prime Minister. Ardern believes the Green Party bill goes too far and would not receive governmental support.
“What we are producing is a…
