title: Medicinal cannabis: moving the debate forward.
abstract: There has been increased interest in cannabis as a medicine both nationally and internationally. Internationally, cannabis is accepted as a medication for a variety of purposes in a variety of legal guises and this, associated with anecdotes of the utility of cannabis as medication has led for calls for it to be 'medicalised' in New Zealand. This viewpoint discusses the issues associated with this approach to accessing cannabis and some of the difficulties that may be associated with it. It is important doctors are at the forefront of the debate surrounding medicalised cannabis. Recommendations as to the ongoing debate are offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington.
authors.forename: Giles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Newton-Howes
authors.affiliation: Community Alcohol and Drug Service, Te-Upoko-me-te-Whatu-o-Te-Ika Mental Health, Addictions & Intellectual Disability Sector 3DHB, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McBride
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009520:New Zealand
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D064086:Medical Marijuana