Background and Philosophy.

This paper contains the general background realities and thoughts along with the intended strategy not only for the Submission to Health Select committee document but also the overall philosophy/strategy at this early stage of medicinal cannabis debate within New Zealand.

1. The leaf.

������� In our submission you will note the faded leaf in the background. Up until this time it was thought inappropriate to display the leaf as many good folk consider it to denote recreational cannabis commonly referred to as Marijuana. Often this causes a blood red haze to descend over officials minds, detracting them from the intent of the submission. On researching the background documents it became clear that many countries referred to Medpot, Medicinal Marijuana et al. In our collective wisdom the Executive felt that it was counter productive to be seen as attempting to deny that association vis a vis the inclusion of the leaf logo. It was also felt that there would be numerous submissions, probably very few or one dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis alone..... how can NZMCC ensure ours stands out a little ...the result is as you see it.

1. What the Submission hopes to achieve.

��� NZMCC's hope is, that our submission will create a climate of acceptance of medicinal cannabis amongst MP's and officials. That it will introduce them to the subject. Our executive is aware that the Ministry of Health has highly placed staff that are aware of the use of cannabis medicinally for nausea associated side effects of chemo therapy, eating disorders, Glaucoma, MS and is useful regarding some chronic pain. One despairs that ordinary citizens have to promote and lobby regarding medicinal cannabis. As most may know the beneficial effects are being added to constantly. Perhaps these few are simply the tip of the iceberg. Research would appear to support the latter prognosis.

It is highly unlikely that any submission on this matter would be immediately embraced by officialdom and acted upon.

Given that reality, NZMCC strategy is that this submission is simply an introduction to medicinal cannabis for officials. In that context it was felt that if too much information was presented none may be effective therefore our submission is on the basis of morals and ethics rather than factual data. It would have been effective to have provided figures regarding the number of NZ citizens whom choose to utilize medicinal cannabis, further it would have been most useful to have statutory declarations from a reasonable number of those. Endorsement via the NZ Medical association, Nurses associations et al are also considered powerful arguments. No doubt those issues will be raised at the verbal hearing. Given that those specific items require a robust, financed team; NZMCC decided rather than do an incomplete job, not to do it at all at this stage. In fact NZMCC contacted a number of organizations seeking endorsement of our Submission. Some have supported immediately although they are few. The Asthma foundation are ardently opposed and state so on their Website. NZMCC are in the process of debating their stance with them on the basis that it denies the actuality of statistically significant research papers.

These are all to some extent side issues of the greater issue. In NZMCC view that issue is separating the medicinal benefits debate right away from the often emotive, irrational and facts scarce, recreational debate. NZMCC hope a Working Party will be established to provide officials with fact based information. If this is achieved, the view is that its simply a matter of time from there to medicinal cannabis acceptance.

Worthy of note is; it appears that anything positive whatsoever regarding cannabis must be denounced as it may send a "pro signal to the children." Statements such as the previous are what we must counter. All know they're cynical, contrived and without substance ....they require patient education.

The realities re achieving them.

Simply put "It will not be easy." NZMCC and others may well convince the Health Select Committee that medicinal cannabis is a reality. Will their colleagues believe or even be interested in their view, NZMCC think not.

This is why NZMCC think a Working Party provides a realistic platform for evidence based acceptance and law change.

Issues like this take on a life of their own once a few key people become "aware" accompanied by a critical mass (You and me) of the public, supporting change.

Overall Strategy. What NZMCC hopes to achieve.

1. To introduce the concept of medicinal cannabis to the New Zealand Parliamentary process.

2. To have a medicinal cannabis "working party."

3. To enable a moratorium, pending working party findings on med cannabis users arrest and convictions.

4. To seek support from the medical profession.

5. To seek support from other organizations.

6. To have a significant membership to assist re all the preceding.

7. Become part of a medicinal cannabis global network.

8. Be a conduit for a New Zealand medicinal cannabis support, information and lobby group network.

9. To "get a life" due to officials "waking up and doing our job for us ...."

10. To continue to educate all New Zealand citizens regarding the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

11. To obtain financial support through membership and sponsorship to achieve all the preceding.

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In progress. NZMCC Executive February 7th 2001.

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