Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Explanatory Note
General Policy Statement
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 so that cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes.
Cannabis has significant benefits for many people suffering from a variety of serious and intractable illnesses. Scientific research is now verifying patients' anecdotal evidence that cannabis is a safe and effective medicine, variously used as an antispasmodic for sufferers of multiple sclerosis and spasticity, for relief of intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, for pain relief, for treatment of nausea associated with chemotherapy and other medications, and for the stimulation of appetite for people with HIV.
The first recorded use of cannabis is as a medicine in a Chinese pharmacopeia, and it has been used for that purpose throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and more recently in the Americas and the Pacific. The first recorded use of cannabis as a medicine in New Zealand was by Sister Mary Aubert on the Wanganui River.
Clause by clause analysis
Clause 1 relates to the title of the Bill.
Clause 2 provides that the Bill comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
Clause 3 sets out the purpose of the Bill.
Clause 4 inserts two new definitions into the principal Act for a "card holder" and a "designated agent".
Clause 5 makes a change to section 6 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections 8A and 9A being inserted into the Act by clauses 7 and 9.
Clause 6 makes a change to section 7 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections 8A and 9A being inserted into the Act by clauses 7 and 9.
Clause 7 inserts a new section 8A into the principal Act and provides and provides further exemptions to sections 6 and 7. The new section 8A allows for card holders to consume, smoke or otherwise use cannabis and to possess a certain amount for personal use. Subsection (2) allows a card holder's designated agent to supply a certain amount of cannabis to the card holder.
Clause 8 makes a change to section 9 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new section 9A being inserted into the Act by clause 9.
Clause 9 inserts new sections 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E into the principal Act. Section 9A provides an exemption for a card holder or designated agent from section 9 and allows them to cultivate and possess a certain amount of cannabis. Under section 9B, any person may apply for a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card if they can provide evidence that they suffer from a condition where cannabis may alleviate the pain and suffering associated with that condition, they have the written support of their medical practitioner or specialist and, where the applicant is under 18, they have the written permission of their parents. If the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied all the requirements are fulfilled and he or she does not consider there are any exceptional circumstances for not granting the card, a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card will be issued. The card is valid for 12 months and the card holder may reapply after that time. Section 9C states that a designated agent may be nominated by the card holder to cultivate, possess and supply the card holder with a certain amount of cannabis if the card holder is unable to cultivate it him or herself. Section 9D sets out the duties of the designated agent. Under section 9E, the Minister of Health is to establish a Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board to keep and maintain a register of card holders, their designated agents, any person having the care of a card holder and the amount of cannabis a card holder or designated agent may possess. The Board will issue Medicinal Cannabis Identification Cards and Designated Agent Identification Cards upon instruction of the Medical Officer of Health. The Board will advise card holders, collate and distribute new information to card holders, inform the police of the details of card holders and carry out any other duties as the Minister thinks fit.
Clause 10 makes a change to section 14 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections being inserted into the act by clause 9.
Clause 11 states the Police are to supply cannabis seeds to medicinal cannabis identification Card holders or their designated agents from stock seized during the course of law enforcement activities.
Member's Bill
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2005.
In this Act the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is called "the principal Act".
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is the amend the principal Act to —
allow people to be registered as users of cannabis for medical purposes;
allow registered users or a designated agent to cultivate and possess a small amount of cannabis for the registered user.
4 Interpretation
Section 2 of the principal Act is amended by inserting, in their appropriate alphabetical order, the following definitions —
'Card holder' means any person who is issued a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card under section 9B.
'Designated agent' means any person who is issued a Designated Agent Identification Card under section 9C.
5 Dealing with controlled drugs
Section (6)(1) of the principal Act is amended by omitting the words "section 8", and substituting the words "sections 8, 8A and 9A".
6 Possession and use of controlled drugs
Section (7)(1) of the principal Act is amended by omitting the words "section 8", and substituting words "sections 8, 8A and 9A".
7 New section 8A inserted
The principal Act is amended by inserting after section 8, the following section:
8A Further exemption from sections 6 and 7
Despite anything in sections 6 and 7, any card holder may:
consume, smoke or otherwise use any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols; and
procure or have in his possession, an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols as agreed upon by the medical practitioner caring for the card holder and the card holder themselves"
Despite anything in sections 6 and 7, a card holder's designated agent nominated under section 9C may supply to that card holder an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols as agreed upon by the medical practitioner caring for the card holder and the card holder themselves.
8 Cultivation of prohibited plants
Section (9)(1) of the principal Act is amended by inserting after the words "Except pursuant to a licence under this Act" the words "and except as provided in section 9A of this Act".
9 New sections inserted
The principal Act is amended by inserting after section 9, the following sections:
9AExemption from section 9
"Despite anything in section 9, any card holder or their designated agent may cultivate and possess, at his or her place of residence, an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis plant as agreed upon by the medical practitioner of the card holder and the card holder themselves."
9BMedicinal Cannabis Identification Cards
Any person may apply to the Medical Officer of Health for a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card in the prescribed form.
Applicants under this section must provide evidence that they:
suffer from a condition listed under schedule 1, or any other condition, where the use of cannabis may alleviate the pain and suffering associated with that condition or the treatment of that condition; and
have the written support of his or her medical practitioner or medical specialist, and
where the person is under 18 years of age, have the written permission of his or her parents or guardians;
A Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card will be issued by the Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board if the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that the requirements under subsection (2) are fulfilled and there are no exceptional circumstances relating to the applicant or their condition so that the Medical Officer of Health is of the opinion that no card should be granted.
A Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card is valid for 12 months from date of issue.
At the expiry of the card, the card holder may reapply under this section.
9CCard holder may nominate a Designated agent
If a card holder is unable to cultivate any plant of the genus Cannabis, that card holder may nominate, in the prescribed form, a designated agent to cultivate, possess and supply an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis, or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols, as specified in section 8A(b) for the card holder.
A designated agent must prove him or herself to be of good moral character.
A Designated Agent Identification Card will be issued by the Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board if the Board is satisfied that the nominated person fulfils the requirement under subsection (2).
A Designated Agent Identification Card is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
At the expiry of the card under subsection (3), the card holder may re-nominate the designated agent under subsection (1).
9D Duties of Designated agent
A designated agent may:
possess an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis, as specified under section 8A(b), for each card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent:
supply an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis as specified under section 8A(b) to the card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent: and
cultivate and possess an amount of cannabis plant material as specified under section 9(1)(c) for the use of card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent.
administer to the card holder an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis as specified under section 8A(1)(b)
9E Registration of card holders
The Minister must establish a Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board under section 5 to —
keep and maintain a register of:
card holders;
their designated agents;
any person having the care of a card holder; and
the amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols that the card holder or their designated agent may possess as agreed upon under section 8A(1)(b).
issue Medicinal Cannabis Identification Cards to successful applicants under section 9BN
issue Designated Agent Identification Cards to persons successfully nominated under section 9CN
consult with and advise card holders on the use and administration of plants of the genus Cannabis and any preparations containing any tetrahydrocannabinols:
collate and distribute new information regarding different strains of any plant of the genus Cannabis, any preparations containing any tetrahydrocannabinols and methods of its administration to treat various conditions:
inform the police in the area where a card holder has his or her primary place of residence of the details kept maintained under paragraph (a): and
carry out any other duties as the Minister thinks fit.
10 Licenses
Section 14(3) of the principal Act is amended by inserting after the words "or study" the words "or medical use".
11 Supply of Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis seeds are to be supplied by the Police to card holders or their designated agent on a regular basis as agreed upon by the Minister of Health and the Commissioner of Police.
Cannabis seeds supplied by the Police will be supplied from stock seized during the course of law enforcement activities.
Schedule 1
AIDS Wasting Syndrome
Alzheimer's Disease
Anti-Tumor Effects
Arthritis
Asthma
Brain Injury/Stroke
Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Depression and Mental Illness
Eating Disorders
Epilepsy
Fibromyaligia
Glaucoma
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nail Patella Syndrome
Nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy
Pain
Phantom Limb Pain
Schizophrenia
Spinal Cord Injury
Tourette's Syndrome
Source: Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill | Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
General Policy Statement
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 so that cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes.
Cannabis has significant benefits for many people suffering from a variety of serious and intractable illnesses. Scientific research is now verifying patients' anecdotal evidence that cannabis is a safe and effective medicine, variously used as an antispasmodic for sufferers of multiple sclerosis and spasticity, for relief of intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, for pain relief, for treatment of nausea associated with chemotherapy and other medications, and for the stimulation of appetite for people with HIV.
The first recorded use of cannabis is as a medicine in a Chinese pharmacopeia, and it has been used for that purpose throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and more recently in the Americas and the Pacific. The first recorded use of cannabis as a medicine in New Zealand was by Sister Mary Aubert on the Wanganui River.
Clause by clause analysis
Clause 1 relates to the title of the Bill.
Clause 2 provides that the Bill comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
Clause 3 sets out the purpose of the Bill.
Clause 4 inserts two new definitions into the principal Act for a "card holder" and a "designated agent".
Clause 5 makes a change to section 6 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections 8A and 9A being inserted into the Act by clauses 7 and 9.
Clause 6 makes a change to section 7 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections 8A and 9A being inserted into the Act by clauses 7 and 9.
Clause 7 inserts a new section 8A into the principal Act and provides and provides further exemptions to sections 6 and 7. The new section 8A allows for card holders to consume, smoke or otherwise use cannabis and to possess a certain amount for personal use. Subsection (2) allows a card holder's designated agent to supply a certain amount of cannabis to the card holder.
Clause 8 makes a change to section 9 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new section 9A being inserted into the Act by clause 9.
Clause 9 inserts new sections 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E into the principal Act. Section 9A provides an exemption for a card holder or designated agent from section 9 and allows them to cultivate and possess a certain amount of cannabis. Under section 9B, any person may apply for a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card if they can provide evidence that they suffer from a condition where cannabis may alleviate the pain and suffering associated with that condition, they have the written support of their medical practitioner or specialist and, where the applicant is under 18, they have the written permission of their parents. If the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied all the requirements are fulfilled and he or she does not consider there are any exceptional circumstances for not granting the card, a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card will be issued. The card is valid for 12 months and the card holder may reapply after that time. Section 9C states that a designated agent may be nominated by the card holder to cultivate, possess and supply the card holder with a certain amount of cannabis if the card holder is unable to cultivate it him or herself. Section 9D sets out the duties of the designated agent. Under section 9E, the Minister of Health is to establish a Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board to keep and maintain a register of card holders, their designated agents, any person having the care of a card holder and the amount of cannabis a card holder or designated agent may possess. The Board will issue Medicinal Cannabis Identification Cards and Designated Agent Identification Cards upon instruction of the Medical Officer of Health. The Board will advise card holders, collate and distribute new information to card holders, inform the police of the details of card holders and carry out any other duties as the Minister thinks fit.
Clause 10 makes a change to section 14 of the principal Act which is consequential on the new sections being inserted into the act by clause 9.
Clause 11 states the Police are to supply cannabis seeds to medicinal cannabis identification Card holders or their designated agents from stock seized during the course of law enforcement activities.
Member's Bill
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2005.
In this Act the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is called "the principal Act".
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is the amend the principal Act to —
allow people to be registered as users of cannabis for medical purposes;
allow registered users or a designated agent to cultivate and possess a small amount of cannabis for the registered user.
4 Interpretation
Section 2 of the principal Act is amended by inserting, in their appropriate alphabetical order, the following definitions —
'Card holder' means any person who is issued a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card under section 9B.
'Designated agent' means any person who is issued a Designated Agent Identification Card under section 9C.
5 Dealing with controlled drugs
Section (6)(1) of the principal Act is amended by omitting the words "section 8", and substituting the words "sections 8, 8A and 9A".
6 Possession and use of controlled drugs
Section (7)(1) of the principal Act is amended by omitting the words "section 8", and substituting words "sections 8, 8A and 9A".
7 New section 8A inserted
The principal Act is amended by inserting after section 8, the following section:
8A Further exemption from sections 6 and 7
Despite anything in sections 6 and 7, any card holder may:
consume, smoke or otherwise use any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols; and
procure or have in his possession, an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols as agreed upon by the medical practitioner caring for the card holder and the card holder themselves"
Despite anything in sections 6 and 7, a card holder's designated agent nominated under section 9C may supply to that card holder an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols as agreed upon by the medical practitioner caring for the card holder and the card holder themselves.
8 Cultivation of prohibited plants
Section (9)(1) of the principal Act is amended by inserting after the words "Except pursuant to a licence under this Act" the words "and except as provided in section 9A of this Act".
9 New sections inserted
The principal Act is amended by inserting after section 9, the following sections:
9AExemption from section 9
"Despite anything in section 9, any card holder or their designated agent may cultivate and possess, at his or her place of residence, an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis plant as agreed upon by the medical practitioner of the card holder and the card holder themselves."
9BMedicinal Cannabis Identification Cards
Any person may apply to the Medical Officer of Health for a Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card in the prescribed form.
Applicants under this section must provide evidence that they:
suffer from a condition listed under schedule 1, or any other condition, where the use of cannabis may alleviate the pain and suffering associated with that condition or the treatment of that condition; and
have the written support of his or her medical practitioner or medical specialist, and
where the person is under 18 years of age, have the written permission of his or her parents or guardians;
A Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card will be issued by the Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board if the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that the requirements under subsection (2) are fulfilled and there are no exceptional circumstances relating to the applicant or their condition so that the Medical Officer of Health is of the opinion that no card should be granted.
A Medicinal Cannabis Identification Card is valid for 12 months from date of issue.
At the expiry of the card, the card holder may reapply under this section.
9CCard holder may nominate a Designated agent
If a card holder is unable to cultivate any plant of the genus Cannabis, that card holder may nominate, in the prescribed form, a designated agent to cultivate, possess and supply an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis, or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols, as specified in section 8A(b) for the card holder.
A designated agent must prove him or herself to be of good moral character.
A Designated Agent Identification Card will be issued by the Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board if the Board is satisfied that the nominated person fulfils the requirement under subsection (2).
A Designated Agent Identification Card is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
At the expiry of the card under subsection (3), the card holder may re-nominate the designated agent under subsection (1).
9D Duties of Designated agent
A designated agent may:
possess an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis, as specified under section 8A(b), for each card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent:
supply an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis as specified under section 8A(b) to the card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent: and
cultivate and possess an amount of cannabis plant material as specified under section 9(1)(c) for the use of card holder for whom he or she is the designated agent.
administer to the card holder an amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis as specified under section 8A(1)(b)
9E Registration of card holders
The Minister must establish a Medicinal Cannabis Registration Board under section 5 to —
keep and maintain a register of:
card holders;
their designated agents;
any person having the care of a card holder; and
the amount of any plant of the genus Cannabis or any preparation containing any tetrahydrocannabinols that the card holder or their designated agent may possess as agreed upon under section 8A(1)(b).
issue Medicinal Cannabis Identification Cards to successful applicants under section 9BN
issue Designated Agent Identification Cards to persons successfully nominated under section 9CN
consult with and advise card holders on the use and administration of plants of the genus Cannabis and any preparations containing any tetrahydrocannabinols:
collate and distribute new information regarding different strains of any plant of the genus Cannabis, any preparations containing any tetrahydrocannabinols and methods of its administration to treat various conditions:
inform the police in the area where a card holder has his or her primary place of residence of the details kept maintained under paragraph (a): and
carry out any other duties as the Minister thinks fit.
10 Licenses
Section 14(3) of the principal Act is amended by inserting after the words "or study" the words "or medical use".
11 Supply of Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis seeds are to be supplied by the Police to card holders or their designated agent on a regular basis as agreed upon by the Minister of Health and the Commissioner of Police.
Cannabis seeds supplied by the Police will be supplied from stock seized during the course of law enforcement activities.
Schedule 1
AIDS Wasting Syndrome
Alzheimer's Disease
Anti-Tumor Effects
Arthritis
Asthma
Brain Injury/Stroke
Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Depression and Mental Illness
Eating Disorders
Epilepsy
Fibromyaligia
Glaucoma
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nail Patella Syndrome
Nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy
Pain
Phantom Limb Pain
Schizophrenia
Spinal Cord Injury
Tourette's Syndrome
Source: Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill | Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
