The use of medical cannabis has been approved in New Zealand, this despite the fact that Simon Power, Justice Minister, is on record as saying “there is not a single solitary chance” that cannabis laws would be relaxed on his watch.
Don’t get too excited though, the approval is for the use of Sativex, a preparation made from UK grown cannabis. When reconstituted with alcohol, Sativex is administered by the patient as a sub-lingual spray. However, it is hoped that the authorization of the cannabis spray will be the first step towards the domestic cultivation of marijuana and the production of cannabis medicines. Perhaps, once New Zealanders get used to the fact that cannabis does help a variety of medical conditions, the way will be open to legalizing cannabis in its natural form?
