Legalising medicinal use of cannabis defeated

[grace]

MPs defeat in a conscience vote attempt to legalise medicinal use of cannabis by 86 votes to 34

 

An attempt to legalise the medicinal use of cannabis has gone up in smoke.

 

Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei spoke passionately in favour of her Private members' Bill in Parliament last night. She urged MPs to help provide some relief for New Zealanders who suffer chronic and terminal illnesses.

 

"I consider it an act of cruelty for this parliament to deny ill New Zealanders the best best medication for them."

 

But Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman opposed the move and questioned Ms Turei's motivations.

 

"Is their concern really about the medicinal applications of cannabis or is it more about trying to bring cannabis into the main stream as an accepted part of New Zealand society?"

 

The Bill was defeated in a conscience vote by 86 votes to 34.

 

Date: 2 July 2009

© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx...m=newsmain,nrhl

[luciddreaming]

If it was really a 'conscience vote' they would have voted in favour.

Depending on the outcome of lightning and littlbit's case we should do a similar thing here just to see where we stand with the pollies.

[Luke Skywalker]

We shouldn't question their consciences. Those voting against it think it's a route to full legalisation, and they have a strong but misguided opinion of cannabis. Doesn't mean they didn't vote according to conscience, just that their conscience doesn't agree with yours.

[Smokyk]

It might not have been passed but the good thing about it was people again were talking about it in the public eye with some people even talking sensibly about. Something like 30 mps actually voted in favour for it, now the others will be questioning why they did and they might actually do some decent research on it, not the just the basic bullshit we hear from government dicks

[westy]

The only ones to gain from this are the doctors that will prescribe it.