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Joined: Feb 28, 2003 Posts: 212 Location: Auckland, Aotearoa
Cannabis spray use may be made legal in NZ Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:30 am
Great news in this morning's Dominion Post! The medicinal cannabis extract Sativex has been approved for three NZ patients, and it looks like a new application by GWP to actively market it in NZ will be approved.
Cannabis products could soon be used legally for medical purposes, after an application by a leading drug company to market a liquid version for pain relief.
Medsafe is considering whether to allow the marketing and sale of cannabis spray, Sativex, after an application from its British maker.
It comes as the Government faces increasing pressure from some patients and scientists to legalise cannabis use to alleviate chronic pain for accident victims and some sufferers of multiple sclerosis and cancer.
Cannabis is a class C drug and cannabis preparations are class B drugs, but the Medicines Act allows the drug to be used with ministerial approval.
The Health Ministry said approval to use Sativex had been granted for three patients, and a further application was pending.
The spray, which is administered under the tongue, was developed by British firm GW Pharmaceuticals for multiple sclerosis patients and has been legal in Canada since 2005.
Rose Wall, the ministry's quality and safety manager, said the Medsafe application to market Sativex as a medicine was still being considered.
In a briefing paper to former health minister Pete Hodgson, issued by the ministry last year, officials said there was "sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy of cannabis in some medical conditions" to support consideration of compassionate, controlled use.
A group of medicinal cannabis users presented a petition with 3000 signatures to the health select committee in July, urging law reform for medical purposes.
Billy McKee, who appeared before the committee and is the director of GreenCross, a patients' medicinal cannabis support group, said patients who used cannabis medicinally faced many risks in buying it on the black market.
He smoked cannabis to control chronic nerve pain dating from car crash injuries sustained 15 years ago and would welcome Sativex if he could "easily access and afford it".
But he believed users could face costs of $150 to $300 weekly as it was not subsidised by Pharmac.
Mr McKee said users faced obstacles growing the drug, including arrest. His home had been burgled 20 times by thieves trying to remove plants.
Multiple Sclerosis Society national director Graham Billings said the agency supported the use of Sativex in New Zealand. "But until it's been made legal we can't really comment."
Otago University Pharmacology professor Paul Smith said the drug, which contained two cannabis strands - THC and cannabidiol - would not work for all chronic pain sufferers but initial results in multiple sclerosis patients showed about 30 per cent success, including reducing symptoms in some patients.
He believed the evidence was compelling and the drug should be allowed as, unlike cannabis plant and oil, it did not have to be smoked.
"The fact that it happens to be cannabis, from a pharmacologist point of view, is irrelevant."
GW Pharmaceuticals could not be contacted yesterday. In its application to Medsafe it says that in therapeutic doses, Sativex may produce side-effects "interpreted as a euphoria or cannabis-like high".
Whatever you think about Sativex compared to "real" buds, this is great news for all of us because allowing medical marijuana - in whatever form - shows our arguments that cannabis is an effective medicine are legitimate and accepted by authorities, it will break down stereotypes about who uses marijuana, it will show there are responsible people out there who deserve compassion, it will show there are positive beneficial uses for marijuana, and if overseas experiences are anything to go by, it will lead to a decrease in teenage use as it will no longer be seen as glamourous and rebellious but as a legitimate medicine.
For these reasons alone, Sativex deserves your support. And once it is approved, that will make arguments for other alternative cannabis medicines - including patients growing their own - even more compelling.
This is a significant step forward, so let's celebrate this victory instead of dwelling on the negatives, as some here are prone to do
Chris _________________ "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!"
This is a significant step forward, so let's celebrate this victory instead of dwelling on the negatives, as some here are prone to do icon_smile.gif
Chris
Sorry Chris,
In spite of even the most burning desire to see some upside I don't see it as a significant step forward.. Its not.
The trouble is ,like when the medpot bill was introduced this token Sativex ploy has the effect of shutting down pro medpot as well as most CLR activity in general. Some of the driven activists still put it out there but the bulk , especially experts and those with more to loose or are less driven for reform tend to back off.They take it as signal change is in the wind and sticking one's neck out is a risk they have justification in avoiding..
I got sucked in more ways than one when the medpot bill got pulled from the hat..It took me a year or so come to my senses , but as a few others on this forum know I had gathered some sponsors to take a an action under part 1a of the Human Rights Act . It was an action supported by the Director of proceedings , Human Rights Commission and others , but ran into funding issues.. He was told by the Attorney General they would fight it to the bitter end and his funding restraints would not run to it.. So it had to be funded independently.. That was started ... I commissioned and instructed expecting the financial support I had put in place... As well rallied medpot users , who individually remained silent but given a critical mass would stand up and be counted.
Within weeks of the bill getting pulled from the hat.. the positive talk out there , including medical experts, media and the like had them all sit back , convinced once medpot got debated and with the international trends and experts on side.. it was all going to happen.. They could avoid getting involved .. not risk exposure..either as a user and risk legal consequences or as an expert and risk official wrath.
I was left with not only a lack of supporters but the unpaid accounts..and the bill never saw the light of day..The whole medpot thing went quiet , while the politicians fiddled ..
Sativex was also dangled as a potential carrot , it shut up the politicians who may have had the balls to step out from party lines , increased the excuses for those experts who knew the truth to not speak out .. Sativex was being considered , so lets wait and see what happens ...
If one schemed to avoid talking about pot , to stymie the truth getting out there , it could not of been done better..
To drop 3 Sativex approvals just prior to the elections will ensure it deflates attempts to get medpot on the agenda pre election...
The token approvals are enough for both Labour and the Greens to brush aside any medpot questions while not enough to upset those against reform of any sort .
We even have the idiot from the MS society say they can't support medpot until it legal.. Shit ,its been legal for years , medpot is legal in NZ , it just requires ,as do some other currently utilized medications ,Ministerial approval..case by case..
Its just that in 14 yrs party policy or coalition agreements have stopped any approvals being granted for medpot..And that flys in the face of the Govt's own expert opinions..
The reality was , here was little chance of medpot becoming an election issue , but with these well timed token Sativex approvals , there is no chance..
There are enough complications with sativex importation and still further red tape they will be able to delay , delay , delay other than perhaps some research trial cases.
As long as they can shut down debate on medpot they avoid the dangers of the truth about cannabis prohibition in general getting out there..
There are some key people within MOH and Pharmac who may well have more than a passing interest and incentive to manipulate things in such away as to quell any progress .. and a political environment that plays right into there hands..
This is a clever ploy and its working...
I wonder how many could well take on board your confidence this is a significant plus and now sit back and do nothing...
Just watch things go quiet ..
I even had a rec user who monitor's this forum and I was trying to inspire to get behind a move others are attempting , suggest all was well and he could see no point in getting involved .. and actually quoted this thread..
Med users are going back into their cave , safe in the knowledge things are going to happen without them risking exposure..
Joined: Feb 28, 2003 Posts: 212 Location: Auckland, Aotearoa
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:46 am
sorry, that's just drivel Tony...
approving three patients, completely out of the blue, when they didn't have to do anything, has put med pot back on the agenda. If they wanted to shut down debate they would stay quiet and not do anything. Granting the first ever approval for not one but three patients to use a medicinal cannabis product is hardly the best way to stop people talking about it.
In fact, perhaps when you focus on the negative like this and spread conspiracies it's actually you that are shutting down debate, by making other people overly pessimistic and think there is no point in even trying.
I think the Govt has just handed us a huge victory and we should all make a big deal about it.
Chris _________________ "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!"
or if that doesn't work, go to medsafe.govt.nz and search on "Sativex" and it will come up.
Take the form to your doctor along with any supporting documents or research, mention 3 patients have already been approved, and get them to apply on your behalf. _________________ "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!"
approving three patients, completely out of the blue, when they didn't have to do anything, has put med pot back on the agenda. If they wanted to shut down debate they would stay quiet and not do anything. Granting the first ever approval for not one but three patients to use a medicinal cannabis product is hardly the best way to stop people talking about it.
In fact, perhaps when you focus on the negative like this and spread conspiracies it's actually you that are shutting down debate, by making other people overly pessimistic and think there is no point in even trying.
I think the Govt has just handed us a huge victory and we should all make a big deal about it.
Chris
After nine years , to have three token Sativex approvals driven as I understand it in part by an ex minister of health and with a research focus right before an election is more than suspect.
I had heard some time ago , and posted it in another thread, that a few token Sativex approvals would happen..Not as a lead in to more approvals but to shut down debate , both in the House and outside it, and in particular to shut the door on natural product .
As I understand it no Approvals based on a GP and Specialist from PHO / DHB and with a supply link have got the nod.
I think the real danger is people might actually believe its good news and not a ploy to make us complacent .
I am not suggesting we should be pessimistic ...more to the point we need to up our efforts..
Just because Pete has pulled these three ( I gather another couple are close) right now , just before he ends up in the opposition is about as useless as tits on a bulls back.. More to the point , BECAUSE he did it , it has more chance of empowering the new incoming National Minister of Health to pull any support.
All it will do , and already is ..is have people back off , with the expectation all is well.
Its not..
I expect there will be little real exposure other than some pre election credit given to the Greens about how they persuaded the Minister ( David ) to give sativex a go..Make out its a positive step towards CLR , maybe give a few potential Green CLR voters short term warm fuzzies.
When I see DHD specialists/ PHO GP's willing and able to firstly offer support in applications and able to meet the complex criteria re sourcing , get client approvals , not token research .. then maybe I will personally back off .
Heck there has already been natural product trial and researh approvals been given in the past .. that did not lead to any form of general acceptance
I am all for as many people as possible seeking GP and specialist support in applying .. as soon as possible.. Have already printed out a further 20 sets for people .. we had three seek GP help yesterday... all three referred the applicant to see a specialist at the DHB's , none would consider it unless a specilaist comes on board..
Chris I think your optimism is more likely to have people stop trying , which is what they want..
I would rather see more not less effort put into having it debated more publicly , turn it back on them , but I fear now there is little chance of this happening..
I still say we have been scammed.. watch it become a non issue , that dies a silent death post election..rather than something we might have with some effort made a minor election issue this time round..
Sativex® can currently be prescribed under section 29 (Unapproved Medicine) of the Medicines Act 1981. The following document is available on the Medsafe Website and is intended for use only by medical professionals resident in New Zealand:
Sativex® (standardised cannabis pharmaceutical): requirements for Physician Application-approval
GW has partnered with Health Support Ltd for the supply of Sativex® to Pharmacies. Please contact 0800 266 960 for more details.
GW Pharma has submitted an application to Medsafe for consideration under section 23 (Provisional Consent). This review is on going and an outcome is expected during 2008.
For enquiries regarding Sativex® please contact GW Pharma using the details below:
Tel: (+44) 1980 557026
Email: enquiries@gwpharm.com
I come back to my point, Tony: if "they" wanted to "shut down" debate, then making an announcement of approving the first ever patients, right before an election, is hardly the way to do it. If they wanted to shut down debate, they would keep quiet and not approve anyone. Approving these patients is creating a debate where previously there was none.
Yes, Sativex is not for everyone and herbal medicine should also be available. But it's a step in the right direction. We don't get many victories so let's enjoy this one.
Chris _________________ "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!"
Tony, you know I support your way of doing things, the effort you put in is commendable but in this instance I see Sativex as a positive step forward, what it means is the Ministry of Health is effectively admitting that cannabis has medicinal benefits.
When more people come on board and the medical fraternity that were before negative on the subject realise its not what they have been told it is and become supportive, it will be then that cannabis in general will become a non issue. Further down the track whenever health professionals have to provide opinions regarding cannabis to other agencies/authorities that mainly positives will emerge making all those who want prohibition to continue look like idiots.
Give it time. _________________ A pain free day the marijuana way.
Ask (via parliamentary Q's) for declarations of interests held by all senior Ministers advisors over the last 2 terms. You will find out who has large financial interests in alternate class B pain medicines to cannabis. I would also check out the pharmaceutical interests of prior Auckland Waitemata District Health board members.
This should answer the question of whether 3 approvals are tokens a la Tony (due to zealously guarded market share) or a sign of progress and hope for medical users a la Chris.
I made an OIA to the AWDHB re this which it illegally ignored. could not be blowed taking it up with the Ombudsman - as I already knew the answer. It will get some big boys and maybe girls with dirty fingers, so would take persistence.
Good luck getting any coalition party to ask the questions. And I can tell you even the opposition won't go there.You'll need to draft a renegade polly. Oh and ACT people have reasons not to aid digging too.
Clue - how is it that a tainted batch of class b painkiler was NOT lately recalled despite a janola like taste?
...and
...just for a moment....
I got to thinking we are talking the blue stuff the cops/gvnt spray all over the crops and the end of the summer.....
....i wonder what kinda "license" that shit has
...ah well...there is another Parliamentary question...if anyone wants to ask it...
Ask (via parliamentary Q's) for declarations of interests held by all senior Ministers advisors over the last 2 terms. You will find out who has large financial interests in alternate class B pain medicines to cannabis. I would also check out the pharmaceutical interests of prior Auckland Waitemata District Health board members.
This should answer the question of whether 3 approvals are tokens a la Tony (due to zealously guarded market share) or a sign of progress and hope for medical users a la Chris.
One could also ask when is a blind trust not a blind trust ??
I wonder if the script writers for JUDGE JOHN DEED used our system to study for tonights program.. shame JJD is not real and sitting on the bench in NZ , it might just give those with details the faith to risk exposing some of the carry on's .. but as it seems you have discovered Zinger the system in NZ is not geared to expose pecuniary interests, nepotism or downright corruptions when big business or vested interests are involved..
Only the odd non commercial Public servant gets nailed ..
I spent too many years of my life experiencing just how far they will go to exercise cover ups within the health system ..not related to the medpot aspect but there is a relevance .
One day I might get some guts ...
But it could be a worthy whistle blower might just come out of the woodwork soon..
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sorry, that's just drivel Tony... 
...and
..blue mist...on my crop