Pubdate: Sun, 10 Aug 2014
Source: Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Sunday Star-Times
Contact:  http://www.sundaystartimes.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1064
Author: Jonathan Rennie
Page: A14

CANNABIS OK

READERS MAY be wondering at the tension between parents breaking the
law to give cannabis extracts to their sick children, and politicians
defending the status quo. Advocates say the drug effectively treats
serious illness, while associate health minister Peter Dunne demurs
that its safety and efficacy is uncertain.

In fact cannabis is one of the most rigorously studied pharmaceutical
agents known to science. The amassed evidence of peer-reviewed
research, when viewed in aggregate, paints a reassuringly consistent
picture. Cannabis drugs are extraordinarily non-toxic, with the
clinically proven harms being few and avoidable. And regardless of
one's views on recreational use, the potential of the medicine is
deeply promising, while largely untapped. Neither lack of scientific
support, nor genuine fears for the safety of patients, can reasonably
explain the government's reluctance to allow this medicine. Perhaps
our elected representatives fear that a century of politically
motivated anti-cannabis propaganda has been too effective to turn
against. Also, mainstream uptake of cannabis medicines may ultimately
help reveal how brazenly we have been deceived. Given the suffering of
so many sick people, the resulting backlash could be considerable.

Jonathan Rennie, Auckland
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