Friendly warning and disclaimer: These forums are provided for the thousands victims of prohibition who form the pot community of Aotearoa for discussion of marijuana-related issues. NORML reserve the right to delete off-topic posts. The views expressed in any forum are solely those of the contributor and not necessarily approved or endorsed by NORML New Zealand Inc.
The Health Ministers response Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:30 pm
Petes response(which took 2 and a bit weeks) was very carefully and thoughtfully written so as not to commit to anything. But he's a politician, so it's to be expected. Here it is:
Hmmm ok I'm having issues trying to copy it to paste as it's a PDF file.
Anyone know how to do it? It won't just select the text and copy. _________________ "If you can't beat em, join em and poison the fuckers from the inside"
To copy and paste PDF documents, up the top is a toolbar with symbols in it, there is one that is depressed that looks like a hand, next to it is an I bar, click on the I bar, highlight one word and press CTRL A on your keyboard which will highlight all of it then right click and copy to clipboard, then right click in a NORML post and click paste.
yea tried that but it refuses to highlight anything. It appears the letter has been typed and scanned actually. That's why it's not recognising the text, it only see's it as an image. Bugger, I shall just have to type it myself.
Cheers for the advice man
_________________ "If you can't beat em, join em and poison the fuckers from the inside"
The long awaited reply Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:10 pm
Office of Hon Pete Hodgson 12 october 2006
Minister of Health
Dear Mr B
Thank you for your email of 14 September 2006 about the misuse of drugs(medicinal cannabis) amendment bill
I Acknowledge that there is scientific and anecdotal evidence that medicinal cannabis has some value in particular cases in treating people with serious conditions that do not respond to other medicines (such as neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and motor neuron disease).
I am also aware that it can be effective in relieving nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV related wasting and cancer pain. However there is a shortage of high quality controlled studies, and further research is needed to examine the risks and benefits.
The Ministry of Health has been looking at some of the latest research available, and I expect to receive a briefing on the issues later this month. I will consider that advice before deciding wether or not to support the Bill at its first reading.
However I do not agree with the mechanisms suggested in the Bill allowing people to grow their own cannabis. It would not be possible to standardise the dose, nor would control over the safety, quality or effectivness of the product be possible.
This means there could be no assurance that appropriate standards for human health and safety were being met. In addition smoking cannabis over a period of time can have long-term health effects similar to those occuring through smoking tobacco including bronchitis, emphysema and increased risks of some types of cancer.
The current Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 has provisions for exemptions to be granted for medicinal cannabis. You may know that Sativex, a pharmaceutical form of cannabis has been approved for use in Canada for certain conditions. To date the Ministry of Health has not received an application to register this product in New Zealand. Nevertheless I would be willing to consider an application from a medical practioner to prescribe Sativex under the current exemptions in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The medical practitioners application would need to supply:
+ The patients full name, full address and date of birth
+ Full diagnosis and clinical details together with
details of present and past treatment.
+ Details of diagnostic tests
+ The proposed dosage of Sativex
+ The protocal for use of Sativex: the medical practitioner would need to iidentify the symptoms to be controlled and provide details of measurement techniques to assess safety and effectivness.
+ The source of Sativex, company details and agreement from the company to supply the medicine
+ The medical practitioners details
+ The patient's informed consent
The medical practitioner would need to apply for an import/export licence from Medsafe. the issuing of any licences in relation to cannabis products would also require the Minister of Health's consent.
The you for informing me of your views
Yours sincerely
Pete Hodgson.
So there you have it. I must get around to replying with some questions in relation to the source of the "latest research available" he mentions, ask him just how many people have been granted permission under the current provisions of the act to use medicinal cannabis and to ensure Pete is informed on the many other ways of using cannabis, aside from smoking it(Vapourisers, cooking etc)
I encourage all to write to Mr Hodgson(and all other MP's) with their views on the Medicinal Cannabis Amendment Bill. The more people they see are in support the more they need to give it the attention it so rightfully deserves. _________________ "If you can't beat em, join em and poison the fuckers from the inside"
I note he has changed his standard letter he is now replacing "Cannabis product" with "Sativex "
Yes he does know about vaps but ignores them ,
He has already decided raw leaf is off the agenda and the labour party offcial line is to only support the bill it raw leaf is removed or else it goes to select comiittee .
We need to strongly promote raw leaf and NOT accept a compromise.. sativex is not as good as natural product for many ... and is going to be unsubsidised and is expensive ..possibly as much as $150.00 a week .
Todate no one has had an approval , but many have tried... The criteria are actually impossible to meet.
Welcome to the political run around that gets you no where hence the reason why we want it to be in the hands of our medical professionals not politicians.
If I have to be seen as a criminal to use raw leaf, so be it. _________________ A pain free day the marijuana way.
Joined: Dec 01, 2003 Posts: 3080 Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:47 pm
Thanks for posting this letter E_A, that was over a year ago, its interesting to see as Tony has noted, exactly when he changed his tune a wee bit. Since then I know of one person who has applied with their doctor, but I don't think anything has happened.
Ask him why there is a Mis-Use of Alcohol Act that allows for USE of alcohol (but supposedly not abuse...although they turn a blind eye to abuse when it comes to alcohol) , A Mis-use of Vehicles Act that allows the USE of vehicles (but not abuse); a Mis-Use of Computers Act even that allows for USE of computers but not for abuse.
There is a Mis-Use of Drugs Act/ Mis-Use of Cannabis Act that does not allow for USE!.- even responsible and respectful use...unless they can deal it back to you in a syntehtic or altered form, and then it's debateable whether they would allow you to have it.
Why people are so afraid of Cannabis and yet sing the praises of alcohol, prescription and over the counter drugs is beyond me!
petes letter translated Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:15 am
Office of Hon Pete Hodgson 12 october 2006
Minister of Health
Dear Mr B
Thank you for your email of 14 September 2006 about the misuse of drugs(medicinal cannabis) amendment bill
how did you get my personal email?
I Acknowledge that there is scientific and anecdotal evidence that medicinal cannabis has some value in particular cases in treating people with serious conditions that do not respond to other medicines (such as neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and motor neuron disease).
I am also aware that it can be effective in relieving nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV related wasting and cancer pain. However there is a shortage of high quality controlled studies, and further research is needed to examine the risks and benefits.
it works, but i dont care
The Ministry of Health has been looking at some of the latest research available, and I expect to receive a briefing on the issues later this month. I will consider that advice before deciding whether or not to support the Bill at its first reading.
i'll do what im told
However I do not agree with the mechanisms suggested in the Bill allowing people to grow their own cannabis. It would not be possible to standardize the dose, nor would control over the safety, quality or effectiveness of the product be possible.
i can't even make my coffee
This means there could be no assurance that appropriate standards for human health and safety were being met. In addition smoking cannabis over a period of time can have long-term health effects similar to those occurring through smoking tobacco including bronchitis, emphysema and increased risks of some types of cancer.
but i can rationalize
The current Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 has provisions for exemptions to be granted for medicinal cannabis. You may know that Sativex, a pharmaceutical form of cannabis has been approved for use in Canada for certain conditions. To date the Ministry of Health has not received an application to register this product in New Zealand. Nevertheless I would be willing to consider an application from a medical practitioner to prescribe Sativex under the current exemptions in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The medical practitioners application would need to supply:
+ The patients full name, full address and date of birth
+ Full diagnosis and clinical details together with
details of present and past treatment.
+ Details of diagnostic tests
+ The proposed dosage of Sativex
+ The protocol for use of Sativex: the medical practitioner would need to identify the symptoms to be controlled and provide details of measurement techniques to assess safety and effectiveness.
+ The source of Sativex, company details and agreement from the company to supply the medicine
+ The medical practitioners details
+ The patient's informed consent
The medical practitioner would need to apply for an import/export license from Medsafe. the issuing of any licenses in relation to cannabis products would also require the Minister of Health's consent.
then we'll put you in jail to die where you belong criminal scum
Joined: Dec 01, 2003 Posts: 3080 Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:22 pm
you wonder what goes through these politicians' brains at times . . . a visiting american medpot advocate told me years ago it was only 'I want to get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, get elected, and not a lot else
Joined: Jan 26, 2007 Posts: 460 Location: amsterdam (in my head)
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:15 pm
of course they dont care bout changing the law, as u said paula all they wanna do is get elected into that 6 digit income figure. while i strugle on the 2 digit figure, 12 bux a hour.
To date the Ministry of Health has not received an application to register this product in New Zealand. <snip>
+ The source of Sativex, company details and agreement from the company to supply the medicine
,<Snip>
The medical practitioner would need to apply for an import/export license from Medsafe. the issuing of any licenses in relation to cannabis products would also require the Minister of Health's consent.
Hmmm having tried and failed to meet the requirements of actually physically getting hold of it , then they refused to consider the other aspects.. I suggest its just a sham to fob off and delay..As well avoiding the true numbers of people requesting medpot approvals..
I am waiting for customs to seize the next lot of Sativex I have on the way from Canada .. wonder if they will consider that a suitable supply source.. ,me thinks not.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Login to check your private messages
Login
