NZMCC board member Dr Richard Acland is focused on overcoming the stigma of medicinal cannabis and its wider use.
What drew you to the medical cannabis sector?
When I was a practising doctor in pain and rehabilitation, I observed many patients with intractable symptoms who gained benefit from ‘random’ cannabis use. This piqued my interest and I became an advocate for the prescription of medicinal cannabis. Subsequently, I became medical director and board member for Helius Therapeutics.
NZMCC talk about complementary strengths. What is your strong suit? Where will you be leaning on the others to bring to the group?
I am now retired. I was also a member of the Medical Council NZ and that experience has given me a keen understanding of the need to maintain professional standards and integrity. So, my strong suit, maybe, being an elder statesman!
We might disagree on how to deliver some aspects of the sector, but what do you see as the “North Star?” What vision and values do the Board share?
To raise awareness among the public and health professionals of the merits of prescription MC, both its safety and efficacy in enhancing wellbeing.
What is the biggest opportunity — or challenge — facing the industry right now?
To overcome the stigma regarding the prescription of medicinal cannabis and its wider use.
What does meaningful progress for the local cannabis industry look like to you in the next 12 months, and what are you personally focused on achieving?
To allow a more transparent promotion of products. To highlight relevant positive outcome data.