Recently Helius has commisioned a Horizons poll outlining attitudes around Medical Cannabis.

With the final reading of the Medical Cannabis bill likely to be early this coming week, it outlines strong support across the political spectrum for significantly more reform than what was offered in the Govt Cannabis Bill.

"A key critique of the govt bill is that it shows no shape or intent outlining the nature of the 'scheme'. Public support as polled shows strong support for a Card based access scheme similar to what is in place in many US States, and as proposed in Dr. Shane Reti's private member's bill" says MCANZ Coordinator Shane Le Brun.

The Headline result shows that support for a card scheme is at 59%, with those opposed only at 18%

"Such results should be taken seriously by the team at the Ministry of Health who will be in charge of creating the scheme. Its a timely poll in that the next phase will be reliant on these unelected officials to balance the demands of the public, along with political expediency and the nature of managing the public health risks and benefits such a scheme may entail" Says MCANZ Coordinator Shane Le Brun

Another result shows strong support for treating Medical Cannabis the same as any other medicine, with 73% of respondents agreeing.

"The preference of the public is to destigmatize Medical Cannabis, which aligns with our charities views. Essentially we would be satisfied if 'Balanced' Cannabis products were treated with the same caution as lighter Opioids and Benzodiazepines such as Codeine and Diazepam, which are prescribed quite freely"

"Unfortunately the wording of the question suggests following the traditional medical development model, which is where cannabis-based medicines hit a snag, its commercial suicide to do large-scale phase 3 trials for Medical Cannabis products, where the compositions etc are not able to be protected by patents"
This leads into our main issue with Medical Cannabis gaining legitimacy, the paucity of Phase 3 RCTs" Says MCANZ Coordinator Shane Le Brun

It is the hope of MCANZ, that with the successful passage of the bill, that the Minister and the Ministry waste no time in getting the regulatory consultation underway, and use such polls in their initial planning.

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