CANNABIS FOR PAIN RELIEF STILL AGAINST THE LAW

Karl Andrews, 38, of Ngawha Springs appeared before Judge John Hole
at the Kaikohe District Court last week on charges of producing
cannabis oil and cultivating cannabis.

Pleading guilty to the charges, Andrews was given nine months'
supervision and a six-month prison sentence suspended for twelve
months.

Lawyer Doug Blaikie told the court that Andrews used cannabis for
pain relief after being seriously injured in an accident.

Andrews claimed his controlled use of cannabis was less addictive
than the constant morphine prescribed to him by doctors.

"It may well be that in a couple of years' time, the court will have
introduced new legislation allowing beneficial drug use for special
cases," Mr Blaikie said.

"There is a huge move worldwide to legalise cannabis as some people
have recognised the clear benefits of its use to the likes of Mr
Andrews."

Reminding the defendant that the offending was still against the law,
Judge Hole ordered Andrews to attend the Whangarei Pain Clinic and to
undergo drug addiction assessment.

A Parliamentary bill introduced by Green MP Nandor Tanczos is seeking
new legislation to decriminalise the use of cannabis in New Zealand.

The Health and Disability Commission is understood to be
investigating the medicinal use of cannabis.