Grey Power backs Swarbrick bill

The Herald reports:

Grey Power is urging MPs to support the Green MP Chloe Swarbrick’s bill on medicinal cannabis, which is set to have its first reading on Wednesday and potentially pave the way for greater access.

The Wednesday vote – a conscience vote – will be a day after the first reading of the Government’s bill on medicinal cannabis, which will take place tomorrow.

The Government bill would establish a framework to ensure safe and quality products for a domestic market, and introduce a legal defence for cannabis use for people with a terminal illness – defined as having less than 12 months to live.

It is expected to pass with the support of Labour, NZ First and the Greens.

One criticism of the Government bill is that the legal defence is not extended to those who suffer from chronic pain, following advice that it would create issues around what the legal definition should be.

Grey Power president Tom O’Connor said MPs should support Swarbrick’s bill at the first reading so it can be explored by a select committee.

“Those with chronic pain should also have access to medical cannabis, if it offers them some relief.”

I agree with Grey Power on this.

The sensible thing for MPs to do is vote for both the Government and the Swarbrick bill to go to select committee, so the select committee can hear evidence on both bills, and work out which regime would be best to provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain.

It is worth reflecting that there is overwhelming public support for cannabis to be available for pain relief. A poll Curia did for the Drug Foundation last year had 78% support for medicial use of cannabis not to be a criminal offence and only 17% opposed.

The net support for not having medical use of cannabis being a criminal offence by party vote is:

• National voters +60% (78% to 18%)
• Labour voters +61% (78% to 17%)
• NZ First +54% (77% to 23%)
• Greens +77% (88% to 11%)