#2 in our Live Chat series: New Zealand’s new medicinal cannabis regime came into force last month. However, for most patients, whānau and carers this has not made it easier to legally access products that will reduce suffering and improve quality of life. On 28 May we ran a Live Chat session setting out key new features of the bill, and answering as many questions as we could. View on YouTube
The painfully slow start has meant products are still expensive and hard to come by. The law promised a lot but has yet to deliver. Therefore medicinal cannabis advocates and patients are turning their attention to the referendum on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill. The new law is seen by many as the only way that many will be able to access the products they need. In order to achieve patient aspirations the referendum has to attract majority support.
Cannabis Control Bill: What it means for patients was presented by:
Chair: Kali Mercier, Policy & Advocacy Manager, NZ Drug Foundation
Co-hosted by: NZ Drug Foundation, Medical Cannabis Awareness New Zealand and Auckland Patient Group.
Wednesday 6 May: An overview of the Cannabis Control Bill [recording]
Thursday 28 May: What it means for medicinal cannabis users [recording]
Wednesday 10 June: Māori perspectives on the Cannabis Control Bill [recording]
Wednesday 24 June: Better outcomes for young people? [recording]
Wednesday 8 July: The overwhelming case for change [recording]
New Zealand is losing three people a week to preventable overdose, while hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are increasing alongside a recent surge in consumption.
Our annual report compiling coronial and hospitalisation data.
There is common ground among parties on reducing drug harms and supporting addiction treatment, suggesting progress can be made in the next term.