Mixed Medical Marijuana Messages From United Future

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AUGUST 27, 2003

MIXED MESSAGES FROM UNITED FUTURE OVER POSITION ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

GreenCross today called on United Future to clarify its official position on medical marijuana, saying that MPs from the party were sending out mixed messages and contradicting each other.

In addition to a rude email from Peter Dunne, GreenCross co-ordinator Greg Soar last week received a letter from UF health spokesperson Judy Turner saying that the party is "not against the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, as long as it is regulated by Medsafe."

Today, Murray Smith wrote to Mr Soar asking him not to misrepresent the party's position on cannabis because "United Future does not support the medicinal use of cannabis", adding that, because of their Supply and Confidence agreement with the Government, allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana "is simply not going to happen."

"Maybe United Future need to sit down, understand the workings of Parliament, and decide exactly where they stand on this matter", said Mr Soar. "Kiwis are sick and dying and in desperate need of medication that they have found to be effective and yet is illegal".

Mr Soar said that United Future preempted the findings of the Health Select Committee's inquiry into cannabis by asking for Labour's agreement not to introduce cannabis reform legislation this term of Government.

"Now one of their MPs is threatening us with the idea that under the same agreement medical marijuana won't be introduced either. Where are the caring family values as promoted publicly by United Future?

Contact:

Greg Soar Green Cross Medicinal Cannabis Support Group Inc. (09) 620 9709 gcsoar@ihug.co.nz

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