New Zealand Doctors Should Lead Medicinal Cannabis Debate: Experts
Kiwi doctors need to be at the forefront of the debate around medicinal cannabis, two Wellington experts say.
Until now the push has been largely consumer driven while doctors have remained largely silent, according to Giles Newton-Howes and Sam McBride in an article published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
Currently doctors are able to prescribe cannabis-based products to patients in New Zealand, but require ministerial sign-off to do so.
Dr Newton-Howes, who works at the University of Otago's psychological medicine department, says there are issues accepting cannabis as a medication for a variety of purposes.
"If they do not engage in this debate, the medical profession will risk having to respond to requests after the fact, as opposed to helping shape policy now," he says.
"All doctors should have an interest in this, from primary care physicians to sub-specialists in neurology, psychiatry and associated fields."
His joint article with...
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