GREENS BACK CANNABIS FOR PAIN

Wellington: The Green Party says it will support any moves the Government
makes to allow cannabis to be used for medical purposes.

Parliament's health committee is considering whether a derivative of the
drug should be available in pill form to help pain relief.

Committee chairwoman Steve Chadwick was reported yesterday to be in favour
of the move.

She told the Sunday Star Times that if it was made available, the cannabis
pill would have to be registered under the Medicines Act and would only be
for people with a certain threshold of pain or illness.

Ms Chadwick said cannabis was used for medical purposes in Britain in
tablet or suppository form. Green MP Nandor Tanczos, a campaigner for
legalising cannabis, said his party welcomed any measure that offered hope
for thousands of chronic pain sufferers. However, he said the committee
would have to carefully examine the options.

"I urge the Government to fund trials in the public interest for the use of
medicinal marijuana," he said.

"The committee should also look at a range of options, such as vaporising
instruments already available that minimise possible health risks caused by
smoking."

The Government cannot legalise cannabis, even if it wanted to, because of
the deal it made with the United Future Party after the election.

Party leader Peter Dunne said United Future might block a move for medical
use because it could be seen as "the thin end of the wedge" towards softer
drug laws.

Health Minister Annette King said she was waiting for the result of trials
in Britain.