National's medicinal cannabis bill would allow doctors to prescribe anyone medicinal cannabis – but not to smoke. It goes further than the Government bill in setting up a regulatory regime but is more harsh on the method of consumption that most people envision – smoking. It would make medicinal cannabis products a pharmacist-only medicine which could be prescribed by doctors, who would authorise a photo ID medicinal cannabis card. This would contrast with the Government bill, which provides a legal defence for cannabis possession and consumption for those with terminal conditions, but does not provide a legal path to selling or obtaining it. (See also: National’s medicinal cannabis bill is far better than Labour’s)