Parliament will debate its second cannabis law reform bill in a week tonight with the Greens proposing a more permissive regime.

All MPs agreed yesterday to send the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill to the Health committee for consideration.

The Bill creates a statutory defence for terminally ill people to possess and use illegal cannabis.

Today is the first Members Day of the year and the second bill up for debate is the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.

The bill is in the name of Chlöe Swarbrick. It amends the Misuse of Drugs Act to make a specific exemption for any person with a qualifying medical condition to cultivate, possess or use cannabis plant for therapeutic purposes, provided they have the support of a registered medical practitioner. The exemption for cultivation and possession would also apply to an immediate relative or any other person nominated by the person with such a diagnosis, for
administering or supplying cannabis to the person.

Its progress is much more problematic than the earlier cannabis bill. National had indicated only a small number of its MPs will support the Bill, a number of NZ First MPs are opposed and many in Labour have doubts as well.

The only chance for the Bill to progress is if enough MPs are convinced the issues are worth debating at select committee.

The first Member’s Bill to be debated tonight after Question Time and the General Debate is the Rates Rebate (Retirement Village Residents) Amendment Bill in the name of Ruth Dyson.