Pubdate: Wed, 21 Mar 2001
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001 The Dominion
Contact:  P O Box 1297, Wellington, New Zealand
Fax: +64 4 474-0350
Website: http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html
Author: NZPA

CANNABIS TRIAL WOULD BE CONSIDERED -- MINISTER

Wellington, March 20 - Health Minister Annette King says her ministry will 
consider approving the supply of cannabis for a clinical trial into its 
medical benefits, if a bona fide trial is proposed.

Mrs King said four people had applied to her to use cannabis for medicinal 
purposes since she was made minister after the 1999 election. However, all 
four had been declined as she had to have evidence of clinical trial 
effectiveness and comprehensive clinical data on the safety, efficacy and 
quality of any medicine before she could approve its use.

"Without this data, the minister of health cannot consider granting 
approval to use cannabis for medicinal purpose," she said in reply to 
written questions by Green MP Nandor Tanczos.

"If a bona fide clinical trial was proposed and had the approval of the 
police, then the Ministry of Health would consider an application to supply 
cannabis as part of a properly constituted clinical trial."

However, it remained unlikely the ministry would approve cannabis for 
medicinal use in "joint" form as there was no control over dose, quality or 
effectiveness, Mrs King said.

As well, the associated health issues arising from smoking, whether 
cannabis or tobacco, would work against any proposed therapeutic effects, 
she said.
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