Medicinal Cannabis: Legal Issues
Issues covered include: cannabis, agribusiness, IP medicinal, Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, criminal issues of cannabis
Description
3 perspectives – one controversial weed: The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2018 became part of the New Zealand legal landscape as of 18 December 2018. The Act legalised the use of cannabis by people with a terminal illness by providing them with a statutory defence to possess and use illicit cannabis. Examine the legal implications for the cannabis businesses, examine the practicalities and challenges for prescribing cannabis and canvas the changing perspective of the Courts.
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair/Facilitator: Tony Beach, Barrister
1.15pm to 1.20pm Opening Comments by the Chair/Facilitator
1.20pm to 2.20pm: Legal Advice for Cannabis Businesses (including Agribusiness)
- How to navigate the complex regulatory environment
- Unique issues in this industry
- Commercial vs regulatory balance
- Suitable persons, directors and staff
- IP in the medicinal cannabis space
Presented by Kristin Wilson, Senior Associate, Bell Gully
2.25pm to 3.25pm: Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Medicinal Cannabis Scheme regulations
- Practicalities
- Challenges
Presented by Dr Graham Gulbransen, General Practitioner, Addiction Specialist, Cannabis Consultant, Cannabis Care Clinic and Addiction Treatment Services, West Care Specialist Centre, Henderson
3.30pm to 4.30pm: Legal Issues Emerging in the Courts: Changing Perspectives
Examine critical issues that are appearing before the courts, including:
- Changing perspective of courts regarding cannabis use for pain relief
- Criminal issues suppliers need to be aware of
- Tension between an inadequate licit scheme and illicit sources
- Updated criminal defences
- Doctors successfully using the defence of medical necessity
- Liability: use as medication for children and the associated child protection issues
Presented by Len Andersen, Barrister, Barristers Chambers; President of the Criminal Bar Association Dunedin; Lecturer, University of Otago Faculty of Law – Te Kaupeka Tātai Ture
Learning Objectives
- Gain practical insights on business and regulatory issues affecting cannabis consumption and distribution
- Hear the medical perspective from a cannabis consultant on prescribing medicinal cannabis
- Examine how the Courts decisions are adapting to the shifting legal landscape