A private member's bill which would make the use of medicinal cannabis legal in certain circumstances has been introduced by Green Party MP Julie Genter.
The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill would amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
The amendment would insert a new section, 9A, allowing a person with a "qualifying health condition" to use medicinal cannabis "in accordance with a supportive medical report".
The bill would also allow a "nominated support person" to cultivate, administer, supply, or possess medicinal cannabis for the purposes of the person with the qualifying health condition's lawful use.
"Medicinal cannabis" would be interpreted to mean any form of cannabis referred to in the Act, including (without limitation) any cannabis plant, preparation, or derivative, that is cultivated, supplied, or possessed (as the case may be) solely in order that it may be used by a person with a qualifying health condition for therapeutic purposes.