Research Scholarships for Cannabis Treatments

Medical cannabis research will be boosted by $140 million if the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is elected on September 20. Pediatric epilepsy treatment will be one of the main priorities for the research scholarships.

Last night on Prime TV, 60 Minutes covered the story of Charlotte Figi, one of the first children with epilepsy to be treated with cannabis. A cannabis strain called Charlotte's Web was named after her.

ALCP education spokesman Abe Gray said parents whose children had seizures should be allowed to treat their condition with non-THC cannabis oils.

"As many as 12,000 kiwi kids have epilepsy and some of their families are calling for Charlotte's Web to be legalised here," Mr Gray said.

"Universities and Crown research institutes will be the main beneficiaries of the proposed grants and they will be able to monitor medical cannabis use by patients, as part of the research."

Scholarships will also enable the study of medical cannabis for pain relief, cancer treatment, nausea and a variety of other conditions.

Universities could help implement the recommendations of the Law Commission and begin clinical trials of raw cannabis immediately.

ends

© Scoop Media