Amy Adam shows her ignorance about medical cannabis

Justice Minister Amy Adams has no ministerial responsibility for medical cannabis, despite her uneducated comments about the issue in the Taranaki Daily Mail.

It is already legal for doctors to prescribe cannabis for medical reasons but it requires the approval of the Minister of Health.

Cannabis Party leader Julian Crawford said it was important to recognise that medical cannabis was already separate from the criminal justice system.

"Responsibility for medical cannabis is with Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and his associate ministers," Crawford said.

"The previous Health Minister Tony Ryall personally approved the use of Sativex, which is made from raw cannabis and has significant amounts of THC and CBD in it."

Mr Ryall's decision proves that cannabis does indeed have medicinal value, Crawford said.

"Both THC and CBD are listed as pharmaceutical products which can be prescribed by doctors and specialists."

"While the Cannabis Party does support a regulated market for recreational use, that is a completely separate issue, which should be addressed at a later date. Medical cannabis is the priority right now."

Requiring the approval of medical professionals will ensure that it is not a back-door to recreational use, Crawford said.

"Forcing patients into the black-market is what exposes them to hard drugs, there is no evidence that cannabis is itself is a gateway drug," he said.

ENDS

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