New Zealand has passed legislation allowing for the medicinal use of marijuana, after years of campaigning by the chronically ill, who say the drug is their only form of pain relief.
The laws will allow sick New Zealanders to begin smoking immediately and will pave the way for a potentially game-changing new industry for the country, internationally and nationally.
The measures come ahead of a promised referendum on the recreational use of marijuana in the next two years, as part of a government agreement with the Greens.