Dunne extremism a bitter pill to swallow
Green MP Nandor Tanczos today slammed Peter Dunne as "heartless", saying his vision of common sense is cold comfort for
thousands of New Zealanders who could be denied the benefits of medical marijuana.
Nandor, the Green Party spokesperson for Drug Law Reform, rejected threats made by the United Future leader to block
moves to legalise the medicinal use of marijuana, saying Mr Dunne's position is extremist.
"Peter Dunne is willing to deny thousands of New Zealanders relief from debilitating pain because he has staked his
political credibility on no change to the law. His common sense agenda shows a lack of common humanity," said Nandor.
"Like the majority of New Zealanders, the Green Party welcomes any move that offers hope for the thousands of chronic
pain sufferers in New Zealand.
"Mr Dunne has often accused the Greens as being the tail wagging the Government's genetically engineered dog, yet he is
doing just that with his veiled threat to the Government's stability.
"The fact that only his party and New Zealand First are against this move proves how heartless Peter Dunne's vision of
common sense really is."
Nandor said the Greens would support the move, removing the need for United Future support, but warned that the Health
Select Committee must carefully examine the available options.
"One of the most effective uses of cannabis is for nausea relief. Limiting its use to a pill would make it inaccessible
for people suffering the effects of chemotherapy and HIV treatments.
"The English model that Steve Chadwick advocates doesn't involve pills, rather it is dispensed as a whole-plant extract
sprayed under the tongue. The committee should also look at a range of options, such as vaporising instruments already
available that minimise possible health risks caused by smoking.
Nandor said marijuana should be made available immediately for people with a genuine medical need, as private funding of
trials would be difficult to obtain.
"You can't patent cannabis, so there would be little profit in it for the big drug companies. I urge the Government to
fund trials in the public interest for the use of medicinal marijuana."