Time for compassionate approach to Medical Marijuana

Time for compassionate approach to Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana should be allowed in New Zealand as a matter of urgency for patients with a wide range of ailments, the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party says.

Party leader Julian Crawford has called on all other political parties to put their political differences aside to deal with allowing the important medical benefits of cannabis extracts immediately.

"Children with epilepsy have been flocking to Colorado to get access to Cannabidiol, which is a non-psychoactive medicine made from cannabis," he said. "This has dramatically reduced seizures for these children without getting them high."

New Zealand could easily follow suit before this year's election and allow production of Cannabidiol."

The call comes as the Ministry of Health reviews New Zealand's drug policy. www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-national-drug-policy-new-zealand-discussion-document

"It is inhumane for the other political parties to avoid this issue simply because its election year," Mr Crawford said. "It should be made legally available to patients straight away."

Natural cannabinoids are also well known for there effectiveness in treating chronic pain as well as nausea and appetite problem in cancer patients. They also have experimental uses as an anti-tumorial agent.

Cannabis is known for its powerful anti-microbial properties and has been proposed as the next important medicine in the battle against MRSA and super-bugs.

Cannabis based skin cremes are effective for arthritis, aching muscles and skin conditions like eczema.

Inhaling cannabis vapour is also a well documented treatment for asthma. Almost every disease or injury could benefit from some sort of medical marijuana treatment.

- See more at: http://alcp.org.nz/node/535

ENDS

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