New Zealand Parliament Passes Medicinal Marijuana Bill

Wellington: New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday passed a bill that will allow the medicinal use of marijuana, making it possible for patients with chronic pain to acquire the drug with a prescription.

The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, which passed the third and final reading in parliament and will soon become a law, classifies cannabidiol (a chemical in marijuana) as a prescription medicine instead of a controlled drug, reports Efe news.

The bill also sets up a statutory defence to allow those in palliative care to take illicit marijuana with a legal defence. The vote allows medicinal marijuana manufacturers to produce and market their products both locally and abroad. (IANS)

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