Green MP Chloe Swarbrick’s bill on medicinal cannabis has been stubbed out in Parliament.
In an emotive debate at the first reading, the bill was voted down by 73 votes to 47 in a conscience vote yesterday.
All Green MPs, most Labour MPs and Act’s David Seymour supported the bill. The National Party opposed it--though it allowed MPs with strong feelings to cross the floor--and most if not all NZ First MPs voted against it.
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The vote comes a day after the Government’s bill on medicinal cannabis passed its first reading unanimously. The Government bill would create a legal defense for cannabis use for those who have less than 12 months to live, but it has been criticized for excluding those who suffer from chronic pain.
Swarbrick’s bill would have included chronic pain suffers, approved by a doctor. It would also have allowed anyone with a prescription to use, possess and grow cannabis to treat a qualifying medical condition, as well as nominate someone to grow cannabis for them.
