[5] Both the populist New Zealand First and the left-wing Green Party secured concessions to the Amendment Act including the inclusion of anyone in palliative care rather than those defined as terminally ill and the establishment of a regulated local market that allows native strains of cannabis rather than imported cannabis products.

[4] However, no individual may leave or enter New Zealand with illicit cannabis even if they have been diagnosed by a medical or nurse practitioner as requiring palliation.

[5] The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill was first introduced on 30 January 2018 by Health Minister David Clark.

The Health Committee received 1,786 written submissions on the bill with the vast majority expressing support for legalising medicinal cannabis.

Submitters' concerns included expanding access to those with other medical conditions, the regulation of medicinal cannabis products, lack of a clear definition of terminal illnesses, and calls for a full risk assessment of cannabidioil.

NZ First health spokesperson Jenny Marcroft praised the inclusion of anyone in palliative care under the bill as a compassionate approach that would provide 25,000 people with a defence for using medicinal cannabis.

Greens drug reform spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick said the bill would allow the development of a domestic market for regulated cannabis products.

[1][17] Also on 18 December, the Government announced that a nationwide, binding referendum on recreational consumption of cannabis would be held as part of the 2020 general election.