Peter Dunne has given a summary of the slow progress on medicinal cannabis, saying that there has been a lack of proven products available but hopes that will change next year as New Zealand benefits from what is happening in Australia.
Stuffs Prime Minister Bill English needs a clear stamp on his leadership.
With his health hat on Dunne says not a lot of medicinal cannabis products have come onto the market this year, which makes progress more difficult.
“I think the reality is between the wishful thinking and the actuality there is quite a gap. The fundamental problem remains a lack of reputable product.”
“The problem with trials in New Zealand is the perception from the pharmaceutical companies that the market isn’t big enough.”
New Zealand would be a good trial market for new products but the lack of Government will to lead on this probably rules us out as much as market size.
Dunne is working closely with the Australian Health Minister and hopes they’ll approve a couple of new products next year that Kiwis can piggy-back off.
That sounds like slow progress at best.
So far it’s been done on a case-by-case basis, which will continue, and while the “numbers are not large, everyone that has come through has been approved,” he said.
You still have to find a medical specialist who will make your case to the Ministry or Health.
While recreational cannabis remains a “political no-no”, he says, the “willingness to keep looking at medicinal cannabis” won’t stop under English.
Political no-no means that National wont consider going there, and Dunne cant do anything about that except cop the flak. A convenient cop out for National.
I havent seen Peter Dunne state whether he will stand again or not but he implies that he will contest Ohariu again next year:
…he’s well aware that he’s got to win his Ohariu seat to survive next year’s election.
If he survives, and if National stays in government, and if he is appointed Associate Minister of Health (with responsibility for diverting attention from Nationals intransigence on cannabis law reform, then progress on medicinal cannabis is likely to remain slow.
If Labour lead the next Government then Dunne is unlikely to be in the mix, so it will be up to Labour and Greens and possibly NZ First to push things along, but cannabis is unlikely to be a priority.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Dunne On Cannabis Products
Author: Pete George
Contact: 027 327 3468
Photo Credit: Reuters
Website: Your NZ
