Can he all blacks beat us to medical pot usage

[Shithappens]

www.radionz.co.nz

 

The New Zealand Medical Association says cannabis needs to be tested like any other drug before doctors are able to prescribe it.

 

A Ministry of Health briefing paper issued last year acknowledges the drug has therapeutic value in treating serious conditions where other medications have proven less effective.

 

The Green Party's associate health spokesperson, Meteria Turei, has a private member's bill to be considered this year which would give doctors the power to prescribe cannabis for medicinal use.

 

The chairman of the New Zealand Medical Association, Ross Boswell, says it needs to be tested.

'Time for govt to help'

 

A man who uses cannabis for medicinal use says it is time the government helps people who suffer from chronic pain.

 

Billy McKee smokes cannabis to ease chronic pain from injuries he received 30 years ago. He says there is no reason the government should not support moves to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis for medicinal use.