The use of “Legal Highs” in NZ – Cannabis.
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that comprise of three species, Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa and Cannabis ruderalis (Guy, G., Whittle, B., & Robson, P., 2004). Cannabis exists in three main forms; marijuana, hashish and hash oil. The main active chemical is known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabional or THC (“NZ Drug Foundation”, n.d). Cannabis is a depressant, it slows down the transmission of messages from the brain to body which is also the so-called high people experience from it. The strength of the high depends on the amount of THC present in the cannabis. New Zealand is one of the highest cannabis consuming countries in the world. Approximately 13.4% of the population partake in the regular …show more content…
Formerly known as “Indian hemp” it was used by doctors and nurses and included in medical products that were produced by drug companies (Yska, R. 1990). After World War 1 cannabis became increasingly associated with opium in crime and the sale of it became illegal under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1927 (Field & Casswell, 2000) and remained this way. New Zealand being a signatory to the United Nations 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, is obliged to assist with international efforts to control cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis (Krajewski, K., 1999), Of the three forms of cannabis, marijuana is currently scheduled under Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 while the more potent forms; hashish and hash oil are Class B (“NZ Drug Foundation”, n.d). The maximum penalty for possession of the Class C drug is up to three months in jail and/or a $500 fine, while possession of the Class B drug can lead up to $14 years of imprisonment. Despite the harsh repercussions the use of the drug is still very prevalent in New Zealand society with nearly 50% of people admitting to trying the drug. Furthermore, according to the latest Drug Use in New Zealand (2010), 14.6% of adults had used …show more content…
In New Zealand cannabis-based medicines such as Sativex are approved with prescriptions from a specialised doctor, but requires patients meet strict criteria (“Sativex.”, 2011), which is why only 30 prescriptions have been given in the last 4 years. Medicinal cannabis has been effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. However pain and muscle spasms are the most common reasons medicinal cannabis is being prescribed (Borgelt, L., Franson, K., Nussbaum, A., & Wang, G., (2013). In 2010 the New Zealand Law Commission made a recommendation to allow for the use of medical cannabis which was also supported by the New Zealand Medical Association (Hartevelt, J., 2010). Due to the many benefits of the proper use of cannabis many groups have formed fighting for the legalization of the drug. Greencross New Zealand was the first legally registered support group fighting for patient rights to access to cannabis as medicine. Cannabis political parties such as the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and the New Zealand Green Party are also pushing for legalization. Furthermore when asked if we should legalise cannabis after America allowed for legalization in its second state Colorado, Labour Party leader Andrew Little responded by saying New Zealand should see what the experience is in the US
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that comprise of three species, Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa and Cannabis ruderalis (Guy, G., Whittle, B., & Robson, P., 2004). Cannabis exists in three main forms; marijuana, hashish and hash oil. The main active chemical is known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabional or THC (“NZ Drug Foundation”, n.d). Cannabis is a depressant, it slows down the transmission of messages from the brain to body which is also the so-called high people experience from it. The strength of the high depends on the amount of THC present in the cannabis. New Zealand is one of the highest cannabis consuming countries in the world. Approximately 13.4% of the population partake in the regular …show more content…
Formerly known as “Indian hemp” it was used by doctors and nurses and included in medical products that were produced by drug companies (Yska, R. 1990). After World War 1 cannabis became increasingly associated with opium in crime and the sale of it became illegal under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1927 (Field & Casswell, 2000) and remained this way. New Zealand being a signatory to the United Nations 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, is obliged to assist with international efforts to control cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis (Krajewski, K., 1999), Of the three forms of cannabis, marijuana is currently scheduled under Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 while the more potent forms; hashish and hash oil are Class B (“NZ Drug Foundation”, n.d). The maximum penalty for possession of the Class C drug is up to three months in jail and/or a $500 fine, while possession of the Class B drug can lead up to $14 years of imprisonment. Despite the harsh repercussions the use of the drug is still very prevalent in New Zealand society with nearly 50% of people admitting to trying the drug. Furthermore, according to the latest Drug Use in New Zealand (2010), 14.6% of adults had used …show more content…
In New Zealand cannabis-based medicines such as Sativex are approved with prescriptions from a specialised doctor, but requires patients meet strict criteria (“Sativex.”, 2011), which is why only 30 prescriptions have been given in the last 4 years. Medicinal cannabis has been effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. However pain and muscle spasms are the most common reasons medicinal cannabis is being prescribed (Borgelt, L., Franson, K., Nussbaum, A., & Wang, G., (2013). In 2010 the New Zealand Law Commission made a recommendation to allow for the use of medical cannabis which was also supported by the New Zealand Medical Association (Hartevelt, J., 2010). Due to the many benefits of the proper use of cannabis many groups have formed fighting for the legalization of the drug. Greencross New Zealand was the first legally registered support group fighting for patient rights to access to cannabis as medicine. Cannabis political parties such as the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and the New Zealand Green Party are also pushing for legalization. Furthermore when asked if we should legalise cannabis after America allowed for legalization in its second state Colorado, Labour Party leader Andrew Little responded by saying New Zealand should see what the experience is in the US