Minister of Health no angel of mercy

Green MP Nandor Tanczos today challenged the Minister of Health Annette King to explain to a man in the public gallery of Parliament, who has been tetraplegic for 28 years, why she continues to deny people like him effective pain relief.

"There is a great deal of evidence available about the effectiveness of cannabis for treating chronic pain, nausea and other conditions," said Nandor, Green Drug Law Reform Spokesperson.

"This man, who has been confined to a wheelchair for 28 years, had to suffer the embarrassment of being busted while he was naked in his bedroom so the police to snatch his medication.

"Ms King has the power to allow doctors to make cannabis available for medicinal use and yet steadfastly refuses to do so, despite the wealth of evidence that supports the its medicinal uses.

"She should explain to Mr Danger, and other New Zealanders, who find cannabis more effective for pain relief than their prescribed cocktail of dangerous and addictive drugs, why they must continue to suffer?

"The Government should be ashamed that 12 police wasted their time busting Mr Danger because he uses cannabis rather than morphine and valium with the full knowledge of his doctors and specialists. It is callous and bizarre to put a man in his condition through that ordeal."

Mr Danger's home was raided by police last week who seized plants and growing equipment. He was injured in a drink-drive accident 28 years ago and appeared in this country's first drink-driving advertisements at that time. Mr Danger has no criminal record and police have not yet laid charges.

Nandor, the Green spokesperson for Cannabis Law Reform, asked questions of Health Minister Annette King in the House today about what public health good is achieved by the persecution of people like Leo Danger, who is no threat to the public, and simply wants the right to use the best medicine available to him.

ENDS

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